THE cause of the long-standing sinkhole on South Coast Road in Clairwood is due to the ageing infrastructure, according to eThekwini Municipality, which also highlighted other factors including heavy-load vehicles using the road.

In a recent accident, a truck travelling on South Coast Road plunged into a sinkhole, causing damage to the infrastructure. However, eThekwini Municipality teams have repaired and tarred the sinkhole, which developed due to a longstanding underground leak.

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Spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality Gugu Sisilana said upon receiving the report about the widening sinkhole, field teams were immediately mobilised and dispatched.
“The teams successfully isolated the affected section and carried out the necessary repairs without delay.

“The eThekwini Water System (EWS) infrastructure, being predominantly underground, presents inherent challenges in proactively identifying leaks or bursts, which cannot be anticipated,” said Sisilana.

She said while the exact cause of the leak or burst is unknown, several contributing factors are being considered, such as wear and tear over time compromising the pipe integrity.

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Sisilana said another contributing factor which could have exacerbated the problem is earth movement.

“Natural ground shifts may exert stress on underground pipes. Also pressure fluctuations. Variations in system pressure can lead to structural failures,” she said.

She added, “Continuous heavy-duty vehicles driving or parking over the infrastructure may cause damage. The pipe has no leaks after being repaired.”

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The water leak reappeared in the same spot after it was fixed in 2020 and 2022, however, residents and business owners along the South Coast Road said this was a temporary fix.

Sisilana said the leak was successfully repaired each time a leak was reported and logged.

“There are no records of further leaks being reported for that address that have not been attended to. However, a sinkhole has formed, and this matter is receiving urgent attention from the Roads and Stormwater Department,” she added.

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