New sinkholes in Centurion
Paul Kruger Road in Thaba Tshwane has been closed following the opening of two new sinkholes.
Two new sinkholes have developed in Thaba Tshwane in Centurion, leading to the closing of a section of Paul Kruger Road in the area.
Reports of the first sinkhole emerged on Tuesday last week, March 28.
The first sinkhole cuts into a section of the road and shows water flowing into the hole from a damaged water pipe.
The second sinkhole, reportedly 10 times larger and deeper, was discovered nearby on Monday, April 3.
Councillor Shaun Wilkinson confirmed the sinkholes had been reported to the relevant authorities.
“For safety reasons, the road (Paul Kruger Road) after the rail line has been cordoned off,” a statement provided to the councillor read.
“All relevant authorities have been notified to determine the way forward.”
These sinkholes follow a large sinkhole that opened in October 2022 that saw portions of Snake Valley and Paul Kruger roads closed.
One resident who has made a hobby of studying sinkholes, Juan-Michael Fernandez, said that recent sinkholes could be identified by the lack of vegetation onsite.
He said that the two new sinkholes might have been caused by water as leaking water pipes can be seen in the cavities.
Fernandez said that he would visit the new sinkholes on Friday.
He said he has a list of at least 14 sinkholes that have resulted in road closures.
According to Geoscience development council manager Willem Meintjies, the area is highly susceptible to sinkholes since it is underlain by dolomitic rock.
This type of sedimentary rock is similar to limestone and can dissolve and be broken down by acidic water.
According to Meintjies, sinkholes are often triggered by concentrated bodies of water seeping into the ground (ingress), or large scale groundwater abstraction, sometimes called dewatering.
He said that in Centurion, research has shown that most cases arise due to the ingress of water from leaking infrastructure or storm water.
While measures could be taken to reduce the occurrence of sinkholes and affected areas can be repaired, Meintjies said that the occurrence of sinkholes was not easy predictable.
READ MORE: Clifton sinkhole growing by the day
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