Tshwane to spend millions on sinkhole repairs

Speaking at his second State of the Capital Address at Tshwane House on Thursday, Mayor Solly Msimanga explained the measures being taken to fix sinkholes. 

Msimanga said the city recorded twenty-seven sinkholes in various areas during the 2017/18 financial year.

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"The heavy rains experienced over the city during the week of the 19th of March 2018 has compounded the issue of sinkholes, particularly in Region 4."

Repairing all the sinkholes is expected to take several years. 

The city's first priority is the sinkhole on Jean Avenue in Centurion, for which R25 million has been set aside.

"The sinkhole has caused massive disruption to business and traffic flow in Centurion. This is the largest single cost of repair and the tender has been awarded to a contractor with the necessary capacity to undertake the work," Msimanga said.

Priority will also be given to another sinkhole in Centurion, in the Clubview area, which will cost approximately R3 million to repair. 

According to Msimanga, the Clubview sinkhole could potentially affect up to 900 households. 

"Another massive newly-developed sinkhole is along the R55 in Laudium, which is estimated to cost between R40 million to 50 million to fix," Msimanga said.