Lyttelton Manor sinkhole sparks panic

The Citizen

14-05-2025

Residents are living in fear near the newly formed sinkhole at the intersection of Langebrink Road and Burger Avenue as the potential growth of the hole continues to pose a risk to their safety.
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo recently confirmed that the metro is aware of the sinkhole in the area, which formed on May 9.
He said the sinkhole currently measures about 40m in diameter and 3.5m in depth.
'The sinkhole remains unstable and active, and therefore, the area has been cordoned off,' Mashigo said.
'Both Burger and Langebrink are closed to all traffic until further notice.'
While the exact cause of the sinkhole is still under investigation, Mashigo noted that the city will provide updates as more information becomes available.
For residents, the collapse of the ground is just the latest in a string of worsening infrastructure problems.
A resident who lives near the newly formed sinkhole, André van der Walt, said the deterioration of infrastructure in the area may be linked to poor maintenance.
'I have lived in Lyttelton for many years, and in the past, we had no or minimal sinkholes,' he said.
He said if the ongoing sinkhole formation is due to inadequate maintenance of the underground water pipe infrastructure, urgent action is required.
'If not, all our property values will be destroyed if they are not already severely affected.'
Van der Walt stressed that residents are ratepayers and deserve better municipal service delivery.
Another resident, Leon Meyers, expressed deep concern.
'This is the second sinkhole in the area, and it feels like the ground beneath our homes could collapse at any moment.'
Meyers said his family is constantly worried that their home might one day sink below the ground.
'We are always stressed, especially at night when we hear unusual sounds.
'We live with anxiety every day, wondering what might happen next.'
The newly formed sinkhole has prompted renewed calls for the area to be declared a national disaster zone.
Earlier this year, two other holes opened up in Lyttelton Manor, one on DF Malan Avenue on February 18 and another on the corner of Trichardt and Van Riebeeck streets on February 22.
During a media briefing at the site on May 13, MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Kholofelo Morodi said the metro is under immense strain, with 63 sinkholes recorded across Centurion.
Region 4 Political Head MMC @kholofeloMorodi & MEC Infrastructure and Development (DID) and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Jacob Mamabolo address the media during their visit of sinkholes in Centurion. #CenturionMatters pic.twitter.com/AF1xas61It
— Henriette Frohlich (@henriettefroh) May 12, 2025
'There are a lot of factors at play. We've tried to make life a little more comfortable for residents by cordoning off the sinkholes and ensuring access to water and electricity,' she said.
Morodi highlighted the scale of the financial burden.
'When we had 55 sinkholes, we estimated a need for R250-million. That cost has gone up because we're now at sinkhole number 63.'
[IN PICTURES] : We are now at Lyttelton Centurion examining more sinkholes. #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/7Q0HuJLxfG
— CoGTA (@GDCoGTA) May 12, 2025
[IN PICTURES] : MEC Jacob Mamabolo is getting a briefing on the cause of the sinkholes in Centurion. The MEC is joined by the Head of @GautengPDMC , Mr Tshepo Motlhale. #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/vJNWOeSC7L
— CoGTA (@GDCoGTA) May 10, 2025
She attributed much of the crisis to ageing infrastructure.
'This is an old town. The infrastructure is dilapidated, and the pipes are old and worn out. The biggest issue in this area is water leaks caused by those pipes.'
According to Morodi, the city's previous underinvestment worsened the situation.
'In the past, Tshwane was only spending 2% of the budget on infrastructure, which is far below Treasury's recommendations,' said Morodi.
'This is something the current administration is working to change.'
She said the metro is now working closely with provincial and national governments to secure disaster classification and additional funds.
Region 4 Political Head MMC @kholofeloMorodi, MMC Community Safety Hannes Coetzee & MMC Economic Dev & Spatial Planning have joined MEC Infrastructure and Development (DID) and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to assess the top sinkholes in Centurion today.… pic.twitter.com/iAzhnknUeE
— Henriette Frohlich (@henriettefroh) May 12, 2025
'The Provincial Disaster Management Centre is assisting us in getting this declared a disaster by the national government because we need substantial funding.'
Ward 57 Councillor David Farquharson, who also visited the site on May 13, said provincial officials have now seen the severity for themselves.
Farquharson confirmed that repairs to a damaged flange on one of the leaking pipes were ongoing, and the issue has been escalated.
'All 63 sinkholes were brought to the attention of the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo.'
He added that he will update residents on any developments.
Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) councillor Wesley Jacobs provided detailed insight into the state of the infrastructure and efforts to stabilise the situation.
According to Jacobs, there were at least three problematic water pipes in the vicinity.
'There was an initial blue pipe along Burger Avenue North that had been leaking. That was part of the Rand Water main line and has since been repaired,' Jacobs explained.
He noted that another pipe, the water tower feed line, had been leaking due to a damaged flange.
He added that a previously underperforming feeder pipe was upgraded from 32mm to 50mm to improve water pressure in the area.
'This change directly impacts the water pressure on Burger Avenue North, as it is proportional to the amount of water consumed at the other end.'
Jacobs said while residents are not assured of having high pressure at all times, they do have drinkable water.
'If you shower during off-peak times, you will receive full pressure.'
Over the weekend, Jacobs provided residents with water tankers after pressure dropped significantly.
'I drove to fetch the tankers to assist residents on Burger Avenue,' he said.
'Water supply has now been restored, though some of the emergency-installed pipes may not meet our usual standards.'
Jacobs also addressed safety concerns.
'We created an alternative route on Burger Avenue North with appropriate signage and assessed the road's foundation through excavation work.'
Jacobs explained that the geologist and officials who were on-site were satisfied with the integrity of the area.
'Water barriers are currently put in place to safeguard the area; however, a fence will be installed to keep people away from the sinkhole.'
Electricity in the area, which had also been affected, was restored on May 10.
'Teams worked from as early as 03:00, and we completed the main restoration by 06:00,' Jacobs added.
'The community also helped by providing food and drinks to our teams who had been working nonstop.'
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