Relief for Laudium as long-standing sinkhole finally repaired amid Tshwane's R180m crisis

After years of uncertainty, the Laudium community can finally breathe a sigh of relief after the notorious sinkhole that first appeared at the local soccer grounds in 2019 has been successfully repaired. 

Kholofelo Morodi, City of Tshwane MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, said the recent rehabilitation of the sinkhole started in May this year and came with a hefty price tag of R3.2 million, saving R300 000 from the original estimate. 

Meanwhile, the city is struggling to secure funds to address over 50 other sinkholes, leaving residents living in uncertainty.

Morodi previously said the municipality has a budget shortfall of more than R180m after allocating a R14.7m budget to tackle the sinkhole crisis. 

Regarding the Laudium sinkhole, she said: “We recognise the disruption this has caused to the Laudium community and sporting fraternity over the years, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the patience and understanding shown throughout this process.” 

She said despite the financial constraints the city faces, it has remained steadfast in its commitment to restoring safety, stability, and dignity to the affected area.

“Through careful planning and efficient use of limited resources, the project, commenced in May 2025, has been completed at a cost of R3.2 million, saving R300,000 from the original estimate. This achievement demonstrates that even under challenging circumstances, we are determined to deliver solutions that protect lives and preserve community spaces,” she said.

She explained that special care was taken to secure electrical cables, stabilise the soil, and reinstate the pitch, fencing, and irrigation systems so that the soccer grounds can once again serve as a place of recreation.

“The city remains committed to addressing the broader sinkhole crisis across Tshwane with transparency, and accountability. Every effort, no matter how constrained by resources, brings us closer to restoring safety and resilience in our neighborhoods,” Morodi said.

She said the city is looking forward to officially handing back the rehabilitated soccer ground to the Laudium community.

“The city remains committed to making sure that every property of the city remains beneficial to the residents,” she said.

The Freedom Front Plus recently issued a stark warning that the city's inadequate funding for Region 4's sinkhole crisis will lead to catastrophic collapses in Centurion unless the budget is urgently reprioritised.

FF-Plus councillor Wesley Jacobs said a R14.7m budgeted for sinkhole rehabilitation in the 2024/25 financial year was barely enough to cover nine low-priority sites, adding that larger sinkholes could cost up to R30m each.

He mentioned that more than R500m is spent on water tankers annually, describing it as a temporary and unsustainable substitute for proper infrastructure investment.

“The Freedom Front Plus condemns this poor prioritisation, warning that areas such as Lyttleton will become increasingly unsafe as cavities under roads and properties continue to form,” he said.

A report dated February 14, 2025 by the city's Geological and Geotechnical Engineering Management revealed that dolomite rock formations are common in Regions 4, 3, and 6, covering about 463 square kilometers or 7.3% of the city's area. 

At the time, there were 59 reported sinkhole incidents, with 56 of them occurring in Region 4, specifically in areas like Centurion, Irene, and Valhalla.

The report identified the top 10 priority sinkholes for repair, considering factors like safety risks to individuals, extent of damage to infrastructure, and exposure to potential hazards.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za