It was déjà vu for Quinton Morris as he came home from work to find an almost three metre sinkhole in his front yard.
However, the 58-year-old Davidsonville resident was not surprised as the area is mining land and his neighbours have experienced such phenomenon. A sinkhole is a hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer.Some are caused by karst processes for example, the chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks or suffosion processes.
“It was at this home 50 years ago that a sinkhole occurred around the same spot. I was so young back then but I vividly remember how deep it was,” said Morris.Worried about the sinkhole getting deeper, Morris has contacted the Johannesburg Emergency Services to inspect the area and assist in closing the hole. Although an inspector came to inspect the sinkhole, they told Morris they could not assist him as it was not their jurisdiction.
Morris suspects the sinkhole could be part of an old mining shaft as it has opened again after five decades.
Ward 71 councillor Gert Niemand was also contacted and although he said was unaware of the problem, committed to helping Morris with his sinkhole problem.
“Residents who encounter such problems should contact me so I can contact the City of Joburg and get them to send an inspector to check the sinkhole as they pose a great danger to the family and the home,” he said.
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