UPDATE: Kunene promises sinkhole in Braamfontein will be fixed

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport in the City of Johannesburg Kenny Kunene said his department would fix a sinkhole that has been disrupting traffic in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Kunene made the statement in a video posted on social media platform X on Thursday.

The sinkhole is located on Bertha Street, adjoining De Korte Street.

Braamfontein sinkhole to be fixed on Sunday – Kunene

In the video, Kunene and Councilor Mbukoka, who is the Section 79 member for the Department of Transport in the COJ, addressed the matter of a sinkhole.

“We suspect, according to the official, that there’s a pipe that has burst or something is happening. That is why we have blocked this road here, so that cars don’t go in here,” said Kunene pointing to a single yellow barricade.

He assured motorists that the problem would be fixed as the problem had been identified.

He also urged for patience saying the matter would be attended at the end of the weekend.

“I have sent the [repair] team [and instructed] that they must come here on Sunday when traffic has subsided. So on Sunday, you will see the team working and fixing the sinkhole so that this important road is flowing nicely,” said Kunene.

[ VIDEO ] Braamfontein sinkhole mess pic.twitter.com/4FyaoBevbF

— Kenny Kunene (@Kenny_T_Kunene) November 14, 2024

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Sinkhole reported to JRA

Braamfontein councillor Sihle Nguse confirmed to The Citizen that he was aware of the situation.

“I know about the sinkhole, I have reported it to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) ” he said.

Nguse said the matter was reported to him by Braamfontein Improvement District (BID) COO Kelvin Tshabalala.

He described the BID as a group of entities coming together and mobilising resources to clean and fix up their regions.

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Traffic congestion

Nguse also said that the barricade used to deter motorists from driving into the sinkhole often caused traffic congestion, especially during peak rush hour times.

While the councillor assured that the matter was raised with the JRA he said he could not confirm whether the incident would be fixed on Sunday.

He noted that he had previously reported two other sinkholes in Rissik and De Villiers streets, which had not yet been addressed.

“I am not in a position to confirm what was said by the MMC [Kunene]. However, I want to believe that he will utilise his executive powers to fix the problems,” said Nguse.

Sinkhole caused by leaking pipe

On Monday, the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) said the cause of the sinkhole is a leaking watermain pipe.

The JRA team discovered that the cause of the sinkhole is a leaking watermain pipe. “The issue has been escalated to Joburg Water and they have made an undertaking to attend to the leak,” said JRA’s Head of Department for Regional Operations, Khaya Gqibitole.

“Once Joburg Water has completed the repair of the water pipe, JRA will reinstate the road.”

Gqibitole said updates will be provided during the course of the week.

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