Apparent sinkholes are emerging in Robindale
Ward 99 councillor Nicole van Dyk feels city officials no longer care about service delivery, after one apparent sinkhole is left for five years.
Two sinkholes appear to be developing in Robindale, and Ward 99 councillor Nicole van Dyk believes they should be repaired before they grow any larger and endanger residents and motorists.
The expanding holes in the ground seem to have resulted from broken stormwater pipes causing the ground to gradually collapse over weeks and months.
This is not an uncommon occurrence as more and more pipes are bursting around the city, and they are left for longer periods of time before being repaired.
One is on the corner of Gondola Avenue and Abbott Road, and the other is at the intersection of Maid Marion and Kent avenues, and George Street.
“The one on Maid Marion is at a very busy intersection and this could pose a risk to drivers,” Van Dyk said. “I have escalated these sinkholes many times – the one on Gondola Avenue is five years old. It feels like the city’s region B officials do not care about service delivery or the safety of residents.”
Resident Gavin Mack said the latter sinkhole is causing the pavement to be washed away and is threatening the boundary wall. In emails seen by the Randburg Sun, he has been requesting help from the Johannesburg Roads Agency since June 8, without a reply – save for one response to give him a reference number.
Also read: Sinkholes becoming a growing concern for the JRA
Agency spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers was asked whether the entity is aware of the apparently developing sinkholes and what would be done about it.
“There are two issues along the same street, which require urgent attention. Both issues require JRA and Joburg Water intervention, and consequently, our teams will be meeting on-site during the course of the week with the intention to address the problems and to reinstate the road,” she said on July 31.
“We hope to give you feedback by the end of the week.” No further comment has been received from her yet.
Johanesburg Water spokesperson Nolwazi Dhlami was also asked about the sinkholes and she merely replied, “All stormwater-related issues are handled by the JRA.”
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