Mapaballo Borotho
- A sinkhole on the R563 in Krugersdorp continues to endanger motorists and pedestrians a year after it first appeared.
- Despite repeated warnings and promises by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics, no repair work has started.
- The DA has criticised the delay, saying the road’s poor condition has led to accidents and financial strain for motorists.
Motorists and pedestrians are still struggling on the R563 in Krugersdorp, a year after a sinkhole formed in the area.
Safety concerns regarding the sinkhole were raised last year; however, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics has still not appointed a contractor to close it.
The exact cause of the sinkhole has not been officially confirmed, but reports suggest that water flow in the area may be a contributing factor. Krugersdorp is also known for illegal miners, whose mining activities could also be contributing to the growing sinkhole.
Last year, Lesiba Mpya, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Transport and Roads, confirmed that the department was aware of the massive sinkhole.
He further confirmed that a formal technical assessment was underway at the time, even though the sinkhole had been putting the lives of motorists and residents at risk daily.
Last month, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng revealed that work to fix the sinkhole had yet to start. This is despite the MEC for Roads and Logistics, Kedibone Tlabela-Diale, indicating that repairs to the road would begin in January this year.
The MEC’s promise of action reportedly came after pressure from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Logistics, Evert du Plessis, said the department still has not commenced any work on the sinkhole.
“Furthermore, this road serves as a key link to other parts of the province, and numerous accidents have been reported on it due to its poor condition. Additionally, motorists who sustain damage to their tyres risk having their insurance premiums increase if they continually make claims to have the damage repaired,” he said.
MEC Kedibone Tlabela-Diale is engaging with the councillor of the area and is expected to provide the relevant reports and feedback regarding the fixing of the sinkhole on the R563 within the next month.