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Sinkhole which formed at Relebogile Secondary school in Khutsong, Carletonville damaged the foundation of the school.
The Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings has accused government of failing to address the ongoing issue of sinkholes in Khutsong, Carletonville.
Residents submitted a petition to the committee, stating that the sinkholes have been damaging houses and affecting water quality. The problem has persisted for years in the area, which is prone to sinkhole formation.
Committee chairperson Ofentse Mokae says, “The problem that we are having in our country is that we see challenges, we see crisis in front of our faces, but we don’t act decisively. And only after the effect, then we want to call for a Commission of Inquiry or then we want to come with an investigation after probably a loss of life or the displacement of households in the community.”
Mokae adds: “This is a moment for us as South Africa, in particular as a state, to prevent what could be a disaster in the area, which is already happening. When you look at the sinkholes, it’s damaging, infrastructure has fallen, houses have been destroyed, and families have been displaced. One of the most important things is to act to prevent such crises from happening in our country.”
The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has implemented measures to prepare for potential disasters in areas prone to sinkholes, including Khutsong and Kokosi.
Department spokesperson Theo Nkonki says, “There are places where we are locating people from places that have been identified. Khutsong and Kokosi are those areas, and I know that there are houses that have been relocated to alternative sites that have already been handed over to their new occupants.”
“I know there is public infrastructure such as schools as well, but we are relocating because we anticipate that that area is a hotspot.”
VIDEO | In-Depth – Khutsong Township sinkhole Nightmare:
