Residents of Lyttelton Manor in Centurion are growing increasingly fearful as another sinkhole has formed at the corner of Burger Avenue and Langebrink Road, cutting off some households and disrupting essential services. This marks the second sinkhole on the same street within a year, deepening concerns over infrastructure stability in the area.
Residents Struggle with Basic Services
Local residents report ongoing water and electricity disruptions, with some still affected days after the sinkhole emerged. “The biggest challenge is getting in and out of the area,” said one resident, acknowledging that while authorities restored utilities for most, the road closure has left the community stranded. Another frustrated resident criticized the municipality’s lack of funds, calling the situation a “disaster in waiting.”
Calls for Sinkholes to Be Declared a National Disaster
The City of Tshwane is pushing for sinkholes to be classified as a national disaster to access emergency funding. With 63 sinkholes recorded so far—up from 55—the estimated repair cost has surged beyond R250 million. “We need a lot of funds,” said a city official, emphasizing the urgency of national intervention.
Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo confirmed that experts are preparing a report for the National Treasury to fast-track disaster declaration and funding. Meanwhile, businesses in the area are suffering, with some industries forced to halt operations due to water disruptions.
A Growing Crisis
A local councilor admitted sinkholes are becoming a “headache,” referencing a massive sinkhole in Suurfontein that dwarfs the latest incident. As authorities scramble for solutions, residents remain anxious, fearing more collapses could follow.
For now, Centurion waits—hoping for relief before the next sinkhole swallows more of their streets.
