Residents living near Selborne Avenue in Lyttelton Manor are growing increasingly anxious as a large sinkhole on one property continues to threaten nearby homes.

The affected homeowner said the area has been secured, but his neighbours remain deeply concerned about what could happen if the ground continues to give way.

Louis Botha, a resident whose property suffered direct damage, confirmed that the city had secured the area following the ground collapse.

“The city has secured the area, so it’s safe for now,” he said.

Botha explained that he continues to live on the property despite the damage, as the affected area is some distance from his house.

“Although the sinkhole is in my yard, it’s not that close to the house. It’s located at the corner of my yard near the boundary wall,” he added.

According to Botha, the metro has already begun addressing the issue because the collapse was linked to a problem with the sewer line.

“The metro has already brought some new pipes because it was a sewer line issue. I’m waiting for them to install the new sewer line,” he said.

Botha added that the metro has also taken steps to ensure safety by fencing off the affected section.

However, the situation has been far more distressing for Botha’s neighbour, Van Rooy Van den Berg, who lives on Pretorius Avenue, just behind the affected property on Selborne Avenue.

Van den Berg said the sinkhole is only half a metre from his fence, putting his wall and swimming pool at risk if the ground continues to collapse.

He explained that the main sewer line running through Botha’s property has long been a problem for residents in the area.

“It gets blocked two or three times a year, causing our toilets to stop flushing and our drains to overflow,” he said.

The latest blockage occurred over the weekend of October 25.

“My son told me the toilets were blocked again, so I contacted my neighbour, who was also trying to reach the municipality,” he said.

After reporting the issue online, municipal workers arrived on October 27 to fix the blockage.

“While they were working, the sinkhole collapsed, causing a mess,” Van den Berg recalled.

Following the collapse, he reached out to the neighbourhood watch and local councillor Wesley Jacobs, who then called engineers and geologists to assess the scene.

Although the blockage was cleared, residents remain uneasy about the sinkhole’s proximity to their homes.

“Our main concern is the sewage line. If it breaks, it could cause a major environmental issue,” he said.

Van den Berg noted that although he has not suffered financial losses so far, the emotional toll has been significant for him and his family.

“The community’s biggest worry is the uncertainty around what could happen next, especially as the rainy season begins. We’re concerned that the wall could collapse if the sinkhole expands, and the rain only adds to our anxiety,” he added.

READ MORE: Selborne Avenue yard collapse leads to new sinkhole in Region 4

He urged the city to take preventative action.

“Our message to the City of Tshwane is to come up with a plan for sewer maintenance, especially regarding the sinkhole, and to start proper preventative maintenance for all water and sewage infrastructure in our area,” he said.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed on October 31 that geological assessments are ongoing at the sinkhole.

At the time, he said municipal teams, supported by geotechnical specialists, remained on-site to monitor and manage the situation.

The sinkhole is one of many in the region.

“Currently, there are 60 sinkhole incidents recorded in Region 4, including this latest incident,” Mashigo said.

He explained that the sinkhole is expanding, with initial measurements estimating a diameter of around 12m and a depth of 6m.

“As the surrounding soil continues to dry out, there remains a likelihood that the sinkhole may develop further. Continuous monitoring and technical assessments are being conducted to determine the best stabilisation and rehabilitation methods,” he said.

Mashigo clarified that, contrary to Van den Berg’s claim, municipal teams were not on site when the ground collapsed.

“The city’s team was not on site when the ground collapsed,” he said.

He confirmed that a municipal sewer line runs through the affected property and has a history of recurring blockages.

“The pipe has experienced recurring blockages, resulting in sewer overflows on-site,” he said.

The metro has implemented emergency measures to relieve pressure on the line, but its position and the volume of wastewater it carries make it vulnerable to further blockages.

Mashigo added that plans to reroute the affected sewer pipeline and divert the exposed manhole are at an advanced stage, with construction expected to begin soon.

“Physical works are expected to commence shortly,” Mashigo said.

He added that, for safety reasons, the area has been fully fenced off with diamond mesh and barbed wire to protect both residents and the public.

“The City of Tshwane appreciates the patience and co-operation of affected residents as it continues to prioritise both public safety and environmental protection in the area,” he said.

WATCH: Selborne Avenue yard collapse
New sinkhole in Region 4
The metro says the sinkhole is still expanding and that it will look into the overflowing sewer as a possible contributing factor. pic.twitter.com/tOJHU0xEYQ

— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) October 30, 2025

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