Sinkhole Crisis Shuts Down Major Gauteng Route R500

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The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has advised motorists to avoid the R500 Road near Carletonville, West Rand District Municipality, due to a significant sinkhole development.

Sinkhole Crisis Shuts Down Major Gauteng Route R500 — Travel chaos looms as significant sinkhole opens on Carletonville’s R500. **Image:** *Supplied*

Over 80% of the road surface has caved in, making the route extremely unsafe. The affected section has been closed off while technical teams are being dispatched to conduct a full safety evaluation.

The department urged motorists to use alternative routes, follow road closure signs for safety, and drive with extreme caution near the affected area.

🚨 URGENT TRAFFIC ALERT ON THE R500 ROAD SINKHOLE IN CARLETONVILLE!!!

A massive sinkhole near the R500 Road in Carletonville has collapsed over 80% of the road.

THE ROAD IS NOT SAFE FOR TRAVEL‼️

🔄 Please use alternative routes.
🚧 Obey road closure signs. pic.twitter.com/om3iT8kgIc
— GP Roads and Transport (@GPDRT_) December 8, 2025

Road users urged to avoid sinkhole site

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has called for heightened vigilance.

“We urge all road users to avoid the R500 Road near the sinkhole site. The collapse poses a serious risk, and the priority is the safety of motorists as they continue to assess the full extent of the damage.”

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“We ask the public to cooperate fully with authorities and make use of alternative routes until further notice,” appealed the MEC.

Diale-Tlabela said the department will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.