[VIDEO] Tow truck trapped in sinkhole trying to rescue taxi

A Durban taxi driver is thanking his lucky stars after he escaped safely from his minibus, which was almost swallowed by a huge sinkhole on Friday morning.

Mndeni Mvubu was driving on Earl Haig Road in Morningside when he got stuck in the hole.

A short while later, a tow truck that was coming to his rescue also got trapped in another hole on the same road. 

"I thought it was an earthquake or something. The way it happened I was shocked. I didn't think something like that could happen. I didn't see anything or any problem with the road, but the car just sank." 

Ward 27 councillor Ernest Smith says a burst pipe has undermined the integrity of the road.

He says it speaks to the failing infrastructure in eThekwini. 

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"The issue we have been driving is the constant narrative that infrastructure needs to be replaced on an urgent basis, especially for the ratepayers and residents in the municipality, but it is falling on deaf ears of the eThekwini Municipality.

"Unfortunately, this is a good example of why we keep on saying give the residents what they pay for. Fix that water pipes, sewage lines and then they will be happy to pay their rates and taxes."

eThekwini Municipality says a team is attending to the sinkhole.

The city's Lindiwe Khuzwayo is urging road users to avoid roads that are still undergoing repairs. 

"No major incidents have been reported so far. Road users are urged to be cautious, particularly on roads that are still being repaired or rebuilt. We are aware of a sinkhole on Earl Haig Road in Morningside. Our team are attending to it.