Water continues to seep through Winnie Mandela Drive, sparking sinkhole fears
Months after extensive pipe repair work was completed by Johannesburg Water, water continues seeping through the asphalt at the border of Hurlingham and Sandhurst.
Residents and community representatives are calling for urgent intervention after a long-standing underground water leak resurfaced at the intersection of Argyle Avenue and Winnie Mandela Drive, on the border of Hurlingham and Sandhurst.
According to community representatives, the leak, which has been visible through water seeping up from beneath the asphalt and forming puddles along the busy roadway, is believed to be connected to extensive repair work undertaken by Johannesburg Water (JW) in May or June 2025.
“I think it was the old asbestos type pipe,” Parkmore Community Association manager, and Ward 90 Committee member, Lori Klein said. “They clamped it. It was a whole long process. The reservoir had to be switched off. Numerous suburbs had no water for a couple of days, while water had to be sucked out of this deep hole.”
Read more: Johannesburg Water traces Parkmore sinkhole mystery to borehole flow
Klein added that, just before the G20, a reinstatement quickly appeared and everything went back to normal, or did it? “Clearly not, because now, since around January, you can see the water is coming up from under the ground again through the asphalt. We have these little puddles that have been arising all over Winnie Mandela Drive. Our water is trickling down 24 hours a day.
“I think we have a much bigger problem. Whether JW knew about this before everything was closed up, I’m not too sure, but this is a big problem now. It’s possible the same pipe is leaking, whether it’s even in the same place or it’s further down.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Ward 90 councillor Renate van Onselen and Parkmore Community Association and Ward 90 committee member Lori Klein raise concerns over a recurring underground leak on Winnie Mandela Drive and Argyle Avenue, saying continuous water seepage beneath the busy roadway could lead to a sinkhole. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Sandton #Sinkhole ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Ward 90 councillor Renate van Onselen said she had been in touch with the head of operations at JW and was assured that the matter would be attended to, “but we’re going to be very carefully watching this space, because I think there’s a lot of disruption coming if they’re going to do a proper job this time around. It’s important for JW to take action as soon as possible, because this has the potential of becoming a sinkhole.
“With the volume of traffic that passes here every day, we wouldn’t want a situation to arise where the tarmac gives out while cars are busy going over it. So, I think JW needs to take note that this is potentially a disaster waiting to happen if they don’t move fast on it.”
JW spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala confirmed that the utility is aware of the underground water leak, and that the matter has been officially logged for investigation and intervention. “At this stage, Johannesburg Water cannot conclusively confirm whether the current leak is linked to the repair work undertaken during May/June 2025.”
Also read: City entities remain silent as sinkhole on 5th Street in Wynberg goes unrepaired
Shabalala said the intersection contains multiple underground water infrastructure networks, including JW and Johannesburg Roads Agency services, which require further technical investigation to determine the exact source and cause of the leak. She added that an initial assessment has been conducted. “Johannesburg Water is currently awaiting support from the leak detection team to accurately locate the source of the underground leak and determine the full extent of the damage, including any potential risk associated with ground instability or sinkhole formation.
“Johannesburg Water is currently finalising the repair programme and co-ordinating the required resources, including the appointed service provider. Timelines for commencement of repair work will be communicated once all technical assessments and operational arrangements have been concluded.”
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