Deep sinkhole scares family

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Sinkhole in the yard threatens family safety.

BIT by bit…the hole in the ground grew and grew…

In no time, the hole became a sinkhole, wide and deep enough to swallow a small zozo and a car!

This is the horror discovered by the Kambule family in Sebokeng Zone 3.

Ponzi Kambule (32) told Vaal Metro X-press the hole is in fact a big sewerage pipeline underneath the ground.

“Sometimes it would fill up with sewerage.

We discovered it by accident when a child running around the yard stepped on the ground and the earth cracked open and a small hole started showing.

We’re afraid to park our car in the yard because it might fall right through,” she said.

Ponzi said the problem started several years ago but had worsened in the last two years with municipal workers making no less than six visits to the family in that time.

She said the family realized the hole was a serious matter when a zozo which stood in the yard suddenly caved in and fell because the ground underneath had given way.

“They always come when we call them but they just stand there and take pictures and then leave.

We don’t walk or go near that part of the yard because we’re scared of what might happen,” she said.

Ponzi said workers of Metsi-a-Lekoa, a water division of the Emfuleni Local Municipality said the hole was part of old sewerage pipes which must be taken out.

Emfuleni Local Municipality spokesman Stanly Gaba said they were aware of the problem.

“Our engineers are working on it, these are old pipes which must be taken out of the yards of the residents,” he said.