Frustration is mounting in the Witpoortjie Estate as a massive sinkhole continues to block the main entrance, despite residents’ multiple engagements with the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) to fix it.
Locals are forced to use an unmaintained gravel road littered with potholes, which damages their cars and causes inconvenience, especially during peak hours. The area is plagued by multiple sinkholes, including one at a recreational park, believed to be caused by illegal mining activities.
Residents feel neglected, with no resolution in sight after two years.
“We’ve received no clear communication from JRA regarding this issue,” said Nonhlanhla Malambe. “Our cars are getting damaged due to the gravel road, and our insurance companies refuse to pay because it’s an unregistered road. Traffic is a nightmare during peak hours.”
Mothusi Mosome, another resident, added, “The least that can be done is to fix the gravel road, especially with heavy rains approaching. We’ve had to protest in the past to get attention, and this issue has been left unattended for far too long. We want to know the progress on fixing the sinkhole.”
Also read: Witpoortjie residents plagued by sinkholes
Residents live in fear, having invested in the area.
The Roodepoort Record approached JRA for answers in March, and Khaya Gqibitole, the head of Regional Operations, stated that the developer had appointed a service provider to investigate and propose a solution to the sinkholes.
The Record sent follow-up questions regarding findings of the investigations and possible solutions to the sinkholes to JRA.
Also read: Residents frustrated by unattended roadworks
According to JRA’s acting Head of Department for planning Mpho Maruping, investigations into the sinkhole have been completed with an estimated cost of rehabilitation to be 65 million.
Regarding proposed solutions, the JRA admitted that it does not have the budget to rehabilitate the road in the current financial year, citing commitments to ongoing projects city-wide. However, the agency is working with the developer to explore alternative plans, which will be communicated to residents once finalised.
The sinkhole remains barricaded to ensure safe and JRA advises motorists to continue using the alternative access route into the Witpoortjie Estate.
