Residents risk their lives using Wierda road

Centurion residents were cautioned to stop using the barricaded Wierda Road, where a sinkhole could still develop further.

The road had to be closed in November 2022 after a sinkhole began forming.

Ward councillor Ina Strijdom issued a warning to residents that were ignoring barriers on the road.

“I am aware that people have moved the barriers on the M10 and Ashwood Drive side of the barricade and also on the Zircon and Selborne roads at the Lyttelton side. People tend to think that they can use that road because the sinkhole hasn’t sagged properly.”

Strijdom warned that at any given time, that sinkhole can expand further and residents could fall into that hole.

“It is extremely dangerous for people to move barriers. The barricades are there for a reason. It is dangerous. Moving it away, you will put your life at risk,” she said.

“I have already escalated the matter to Gauteng provincial roads, and they are looking into measures to barricade it further on so that people can’t make their own dirt roads.”

Strijdom said that the road would be closed off properly.

“I know it is an inconvenience because you have to drive 20 minutes longer, which is frustrating.

“That frustration is not worth risking your life driving over a sinkhole that might collapse at any point.”

Tshwane metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed when the sinkhole first formed that the road fell under the province’s ambit, saying that the metro could not provide any updates to the community at the moment.

“It falls under the jurisdiction of Gauteng province’s roads and transport department. The metro is only a participant in the stakeholder engagement forum where preparations for the road’s rehabilitation are discussed,” Bokaba said.

Bokaba, however, said all the prioritised sinkholes will be fixed on time in the next financial year, adding it was difficult to place a time frame of when most of the sinkholes will be fixed.

“It is difficult for the metro to say it will start with a certain sinkhole because there’s a sinkhole in Wierda Road now that needs to be fixed and tomorrow another sinkhole develops in another street. This street may be a busier one and will be prioritised to be fixed as it is used more. That’s how we determine the urgency of repairing sinkholes.”

City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said that the next sinkhole in line for repairs was at the corner of Queen and Alexandra roads in Irene, and was planned for commencement in the coming weeks.

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