AFTER enduring more than five months of hazardous road conditions, residents of Wentworth can finally breathe a sigh of relief as authorities have finally taken action to fix a gaping sinkhole that was left open on Lansdowne Road.
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The sinkhole, which caused immense inconvenience and danger to the community, was repaired last month following intervention by Southlands Sun and heightened public outcry.
The plight of the Wentworth community gained traction after the SUN published a story on March 8 – prompting widespread attention to the issue. Residents expressed their frustration and concern over the prolonged neglect of the sinkhole, emphasising the risks it posed to public safety.
The timely intervention has been met with gratitude from the community, who have praised both the media and local leaders for bringing attention to their plight.
Allan Holmes, a local resident, expressed his relief, saying, “We are currently filled with anticipation as the sinkhole has finally been rectified. Our optimism, however, is tempered by the concern that this may not be the last time we encounter such an issue. Despite the efforts of municipal workers to address the problem initially, it resurfaced within a few weeks, prompting us to hope that, this time, they have successfully identified and resolved the underlying cause of the persistent leak.
“The presence of stagnant water posed an imminent threat, exacerbated by the absence of streetlights along Lansdowne Road due to the theft of cables. Navigating the road after dark became a harrowing ordeal with the sinkhole looming ominously in our path.”
With the sinkhole now fixed and the road repaired, residents of Wentworth can, once again, travel safely through Lansdowne Road without fear of encountering hazardous conditions. The resolution of this long-standing issue serves as a reminder of the importance of public awareness and community action in addressing critical infrastructure challenges.
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The saga began when a sinkhole emerged on Lansdowne Road, leaving a portion of the road impassable and forcing drivers to navigate through a single lane.
The situation was further exacerbated by stagnant water accumulating in the sinkhole, creating inhumane conditions for residents and motorists alike. Residents and the homeless were making use of the water coming from a sinkhole riddled with litter and rubble, either by drinking or bathing in it.
Reports surfaced that a driver had accidentally driven into the sinkhole, resulting in damage to the vehicle. This incident, along with the ongoing inconvenience caused to the community, prompted residents to speak out against the lack of action from authorities.
Ward 68 councillor Aubrey Snyman said, during the budget speech presentation held in Wentworth in March, that the eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was informed about the sinkhole.
“The community engaged with him directly. Following that, a month later, I communicated with the SUN and together with the ward committee members. However, despite our efforts, there was no progress. Subsequently, I reached out to an official from the roads department, who had been present during the budget speech. It wasn’t fixed until the end of last month when the issue was finally resolved. Thanks to the assistance of the Southlands Sun and that of others. The process was significantly delayed, and I am grateful for the collective efforts that ultimately brought about a resolution,” said Snyman.
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