The South African province where the roads are sinking into the ground

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has confirmed that 80% of the road surface has fallen away at two sinkholes affecting the R563 and R500.

It also noted safety concerns at the sites and confirmed that work continues to implement measures to maintain road safety at both locations while it pursues the necessary interventions.

This comes after the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province raised concerns that the R563 sinkhole in Krugersdorp appeared 20 months ago, and the department has yet to address the situation.

In response, the Roads Department shared that it is in final discussions regarding the appointment of a contractor to undertake repairs to the sinkhole, and expects to make a decision in this regard within the next few weeks.

Regarding the R500 sinkhole, the department said its preliminary assessments indicated that over 80% of the road surface had caved in, making it extremely unsafe.

“This led to the closure of sections of the road as a precautionary measure,” stated the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

“The Department has continued to assess the full extent of the damage before any possible remedies can be made.”

In the meantime, additional warning signage was erected to alert motorists approaching the affected areas and encourage caution.

“The Department wishes to indicate that funding for the rehabilitation work is being sourced from the Gauteng Provincial Treasury,” it added.

“This includes funding for technical and geotechnical investigations required to determine appropriate rehabilitation measures.”

Additionally, the department said it will continue to implement traffic accommodation at both sites while the respective processes are being followed.

“Traffic accommodation remains in place along the designated detour routes at both sites,” it said.

“The department urges motorists to adhere to all road signage, reduce speed when approaching affected areas, and exercise caution when using the designated detour routes.”

Concerns about the alternative routes

Last week, the DA noted several concerns to the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, including motorists’ concerns about the R563 sinkhole and the alternative route. 

“A year and eight months after a sinkhole appeared on the R563 in Krugersdorp, it has not been repaired and continues to grow, putting residents’ and motorists’ lives in danger,” it said.

“The Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics has admitted that there is no money to repair the sinkhole. However, the alternative route provided should be safe for motorists, but it is causing traffic congestion.”

According to the party, the alternative route is severely congested, has no signage, and the barriers erected around the sinkhole have collapsed, making the alternative route unsafe and prone to causing accidents.

The MEC admitted in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature that her department has no budget to repair the sinkhole.

The DA said Diale-Tlabela claimed a geologist has been appointed to conduct the geotechnical investigation with the geotechnical contractor.

This report has since been approved, with the Bill of Quantities Specifications submitted to Supply Chain Management (SCM) for approval.

“We also asked about when a budget would be made available to fix the sinkhole. To date, we have not received any response from the MEC,” said the DA.

“Motorists, pedestrians, and residents using this road deserve better coordination between provincial and local governments to ensure road safety.”