Suspected sinkhole concerns eMbalenhle motorists

Motorists were pleasantly surprised on Monday morning to find that a sinkhole that was forming near the Mega Bus depot had been closed over the weekend.

Motorists and residents were becoming concerned about an expanding hole in the old Standerton Road, between Bracken Mine and the Mega Bus depot.

This road is known for its high volume of traffic. Children travelling to school at Osizweni also use this road every day.

Ridge Times also investigated this hole last Thursday.

Roughly estimated, the hole was about 50cm long and about 20cm wide, with the sides crumbling.

There were also cracks in the tar surface around the hole.

This reporter dropped a stone down the hole to hear when it hit the bottom. That sound never came.

Employees of a nearby contractor told Ridge Times that they first noticed cracks in the tar a few weeks ago.

“As we were installing water pipes, we saw a crack in the middle of the road. At first, we thought the heavy buses using the road caused it. The hole has been growing larger each day,” they said.

Zukile Mahlangu was worried about commuter safety and has appealed to the government to intervene.

Mahlangu said that although the hole has since been closed up, the area should be monitored to make sure further sinkholes are immediately detected.

Donald Green, the Govan Mbeki Municipality media liaison and content developer, said last week the municipality was not aware of the suspected sinkhole.

“We will investigate the matter and report it to the Mpumalanga provincial government.

“In the meantime, we are working on measures to warn motorists about the spot,” Green said.