Hillcrest community demands action on dangerous sinkhole
Residents of Hillcrest were concerned about a sinkhole on Springside Road.
Image: Supplied
HILLCREST residents have expressed frustration over the eThekwini Municipality’s eight-month delay in repairing a sinkhole on Springside Road, which they say poses a serious hazard to motorists.
According to eThekwini Ward 8 Proportional Representative (PR) councillor, Jenni Black, residents first reported the road defect in March and April 2025. Despite receiving a reference number, no repair work was carried out.
She said residents using the road have repeatedly raised concerns about the danger of collapse. After a recent bout of torrential rainfall, residents recorded videos showing water flowing through the sinkhole.
Black explained that she reported the issue again to the roads department, which responded by filling the hole with sand and rubble to prevent vehicles from falling in. However, she said the force of the water eroded the hole further, and warning signs were only erected this week.
“The first warning to traffic was a barrel in front of the hole. It lasted a little over 24 hours before being taken. It is only this Monday that any type of warning signage has gone up. I have been constantly reporting this sinkhole, as well as the residents and the neighbourhood watch in the area. With every rainfall, the situation worsens.
Every time I go to see if work has started, and notice that the hole on the side of the road is growing in size. In August, I was notified that it had gone out to tender. We are now about to go into December, and still, work has not commenced,” she said.
Springside Road in Hillcrest where a sinkhole has formed. The eThekwini Municipality stated that repairs will get under way soon.
Image: Supplied
Black added that the delay has been stressful, as she continues to face pressure from the community to get the road repaired. She said it has been difficult to get departments to respond or recognise the danger the sinkhole poses to road users.
eThekwini Municipality’s marketing and communications director, Mandla Nsele, confirmed that the project is awaiting approval from the city’s Supply Chain Management Directorate.
“This approval is expected imminently. Once granted, the contract award will be finalised, allowing construction to proceed. Based on current timelines, work is anticipated to commence within the next few weeks,” Nsele said.