When will Main Reef Road completely collapse?
This is the question posed by Brandon Pretorius, DA councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan, after a sinkhole formed along this road over the weekend.
While the sinkhole has since been repaired, Pretorius believes the road still poses a serious threat to motorists.
“The Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni, along with the residents of Brakpan, have over the past few years constantly warned the City of Ekurhuleni of the consequences of the increased illegal mining activities in and around the Plastic City informal settlement, yet they do not care to act and instead choose to be reactive and place the lives of residents at risk,” he said.
“On Sunday afternoon I received a call to inform me that a sinkhole had appeared on Main Reef Road near the settlement.
Also read:Â Main Reef Road could collapse if illegal mining continues
“This came as no surprise as just a few weeks ago a section of Snake Road in Benoni collapsed.
“This is the third time in approximately one year that Main Reef Road has collapsed or formed sinkholes.”
Pretorius told the Herald that despite visits to the area by the mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina, and members of the mayoral committee over the last three years, where they witnessed the scope of the illegal activities in the vicinity, no preventative measures have been taken.
“The latest incident is a major concern and could lead to serious injuries, if not death, because the municipality continues to temporarily fix the road and not do anything about the cause, which is illegal mining,” said Pretorius.
“The potholes and road failure along Main Reef Road is a serious threat to the community of Brakpan and other road users.
“The latest sinkhole surprised no one, but has caused outrage among Brakpan residents.
“This could lead to the closure of this main route which is used by residents to get to Benoni and the N12 highway.
“The road closure could also mean no access to the Weltevreden Landfill Site, which would be an absolute disaster.
“The roads department has again temporarily repaired the hole in the road, but the question on everyone’s lips is when will the entire road collapse?”
According to Pretorius, illegal mining has been confirmed to be the direct cause of the road failures.
At numerous locations along the road one can see the tunnels, some of which stretch as far as the width of the road.
“The roads department confirmed in January that they have appointed a consultant to look at the entire road to investigate the total damage caused by the mining,” said Pretorius.
“This report has not surfaced and one wonders whether a consultant was ever appointed.
“Earlier this year the entire road was resurfaced after the municipality was warned that this would be fruitless if they did not attend to the illegal mining activities.
“We will keep the roads department under pressure if the other relevant departments do not start doing their work, namely the department of human settlements and the EMPD.
“The occupants of the settlement need to be relocated as a matter of urgency due to the dolomitic grounds they are living on.
“The EMPD and SAPS need to be more hands-on when it comes to preventing illegal activities in the settlement, including illegal mining.
Also read: Hired excavator used for illegal mining
“People need to be arrested.”
Pretorius explained the DA will ensure the municipality is held accountable.
“We will formally ask how much the resurfacing of the road has cost the tax-paying residents of Ekurhuleni as this proves to have been a waste of money,” he said.
“The failing ANC-run administration, even after being warned, still does not act nor do they take residents seriously.
“The time has come for them to come and address the residents of Brakpan so that they can take accountability for their maladministration.”
More photos: Main Reed Road sinkhole repaired
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 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za
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