The City of Tshwane will repair two of the numerous sinkholes in Region 4 during the current financial year while awaiting a response from the National Disaster Management Centre regarding its request to declare the sinkhole crisis, a national disaster.
This was according to municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, who announced in January that the Metro had submitted the request, seeking potential assistance in the form of financial aid or additional resources to combat the issue.
The municipality has set aside a budget of R14,7 million to address the pressing sinkhole issue. However, the allocation falls significantly short of the estimated R180 million needed to repair the over 60 sinkholes plaguing the city, with a particularly high concentration in Region 4.
The recent rainfall has led to a surge in the number of sinkholes, with the total count increasing from 59 to 62.
Asked about how many sinkholes are scheduled for repair in the current financial year, Mashigo said: “It is anticipated that only two sinkholes will be repaired by the end of the current financial year.”
He said that several risks and safety factors are used when prioritising sinkholes.
His comment comes amid growing unease among residents and businesses in Region 4, which encompasses areas such as Centurion, Valhalla, Lyttelton Manor and Irene, over the debilitating effects of sinkholes on their daily lives and operations.
Pateka Maka, a resident of Clifton Avenue in Lyttelton Manor, said she was gripped by anxiety as a sinkhole that appeared at her yard's entrance in December last year continues to grow with each rainfall.
She lives in constant fear that her house might collapse or sink into the ground, this fear escalating with every downpour.
Elize Smith, who relies on public transportation to get to her job in Valhalla from East Lane, is fed up with the prolonged closure of a section of Sally Valley Road caused by a sinkhole.
She lamented that she is forced to disembark far from her workplace and walk a considerable distance, sometimes up to 30 minutes.
The prolonged closure of Kruger Avenue in Lyttelton Manor has taken a devastating toll on local businesses, with many struggling to stay afloat.
Sayed Karim, a local businessman, said he was forced to lay off two long-serving employees, reducing his staff from four to two as his revenue continues to plummet.
A recent report from the City of Tshwane's Geological and Geotechnical Engineering Management, dated February 14, 2025, sheds light on the prevalence of dolomite rock formations in Tshwane. The report indicates that Regions 4, 3, and 6 are particularly affected, with dolomite formations covering an area of approximately 463 square kilometers, equivalent to 7,3% of the City's total area.
During a recent site visit to assess the five largest sinkholes in Centurion, Kholofelo Morodi, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate and Shared Services, expressed deep concern for the plight of affected residents.
She stressed the need for collaborative efforts, stating that the city is proactively seeking assistance from the national government to mitigate the crisis, acknowledging the city's financial constraints.