eMba residents are concerned over massive sinkhole

eMBALENHLE – Residents of Ext 22 in eMbalenhle are urgently appealing to the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) to address a critical issue of a suspected sinkhole beneath their houses. The sinkhole is now causing water to flood their houses, putting their lives at risk as they fear the ground could collapse at any moment.

Despite several stories published in the Ridge Times about this matter and requesting comments from GMM, the municipality has remained silent.

The community is getting frustrated as the dangers and health concerns escalate. Sasol stated that its mining operations in the area now known as Extension 22 ceased nearly 30 years ago.

Housing developments in the area began years after the cessation of mining activities. In September 2010, Sasol informed the municipality that residential construction was taking place on land previously affected by underground mining.

In January 2018, Sasol once again drew the municipality’s attention to the risks posed by these activities, urging a formal risk evaluation process in line with mining health and safety regulations.

Sasol has also reported the matter to the Department of Mineral and Energy and continues to support the municipality, emphasising its commitment to the safety and health of employees, the community, and the environment. Kenneth Buthelezi, a resident affected by the sinkhole, expressed his disappointment in the municipality.

“It is painful that our municipality formalised our area and built RDP houses without consulting Sasol to check if it was safe.

“Now we are living in danger because the municipality does not care about our health and safety. The environment we live in is unhealthy and dangerous.

“Green water from the sinkhole is flooding our houses. We do not know how hazardous this water is to our health and that of our children. Municipal officials keep coming here to take photos, but nothing has been done in ten years.”

Another resident, Zinhle Sibeko, shared how the environmental conditions have severely impacted her family’s health.

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“I constantly have to take my children to the doctor because they always have the flu from breathing in the sinkhole water day and night.

“The doctor confirmed that the environment is the cause. I fear that our RDP house might collapse because water is flooding inside. I even went to the municipality for help, but they have not even bothered to visit and see our living conditions.

“We need the municipality to help us with ash or any solution they might have to prevent the water from flooding into our homes. We have lost all our furniture due to the flooding,” said Sibeko.

Residents of Ext 22 continue to call for immediate action from GMM to ensure their safety and improve their living conditions before the situation becomes worse.

The Ridge Times again reached out to GMM about the progress on fixing the problem, however, GMM’s spokesmen failed to respond.

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