Krugersdorp – Motorists travelling along the R563 have had to manoeuvre around a dangerous deep sinkhole that appeared nearly two years ago.
Evert Du Plessis, a Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of the Provincial Legislature in Gauteng, has put the sinkhole matter under the spotlight ahead of Local Government elections on 4 November 2026.
“A year and eight months after a sinkhole appeared on the R563 in Krugersdorp, it has not been repaired and continues to grow, putting residents’ and motorists’ lives in danger,” Du Plessis, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Logistics, said on Monday 19 October 2026.
“The Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics has admitted that there is no money to repair the sinkhole.
“However, the alternative route provided should be safe for motorists, but it is causing traffic congestion.”
Du Plessis said the DA is calling for an intergovernmental approach between the Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics and Mogale City.
“They should ensure the alternative route is safe and monitored regularly. The alternative route is severely congested and has no signage,” Du Plessis said.
“The barriers erected around the sinkhole have collapsed. This makes the alternative route unsafe and prone to causing accidents.”
Du Plessis said the DA has tabled numerous questions to the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Logistics, Kedibone Daile-Tlabela, in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), who admitted that there is no budget to repair the sinkhole.
She highlighted that a geologist has been appointed to conduct the geotechnical investigation with the geotechnical contractor.
The report has been approved, and the Bill of Quantities Specifications have been submitted to Supply Chain Management (SCM) for approval.
On 17 September 2026, the DA wrote to the MEC Daile-Tlabela to highlight motorists’ concerns about the sinkhole and the alternative route.
“We also asked about when a budget would be made available to fix the sinkhole. To date, we have not received any response from the MEC,” Du Plessis said.
“Motorists, pedestrians, and residents using this road deserve better coordination between provincial and local governments to ensure road safety.
“We will continue to hold MEC Daile-Tlabela accountable to ensure the sinkhole is repaired and funds are prioritised for this project.”
Responding to the negative report about road repair delays, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport said it has “noted concerns regarding sinkholes affecting the R563 and R500”.
The department said it continues to implement measures to maintain road safety at both locations while the necessary interventions are being pursued.
“Preliminary assessments indicated that over 80% of the road surface had caved in along the section of the R500, making it extremely unsafe,” the department acknowledged.
“This led to the closure of sections of the road as a precautionary measure.”
The department said it has continued to assess the full extent of the damage before any possible remedies can be made.
“Additional warning signage has also been erected to alert motorists approaching the affected areas and encourage caution,” the department said.
“The department wishes to indicate that funding for the rehabilitation work is being sourced from the Gauteng Provincial Treasury for additional funding.
“This includes funding for technical and geotechnical investigations required to determine appropriate rehabilitation measures.”
The department also revealed that it was in final discussions on the appointment of a contractor to undertake repairs to the sinkhole along R563 Road, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.
