Mogale City:Gauteng The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has made significant advancements in detecting and rehabilitating sinkholes across the provincial road network from 2023 to 2026. This initiative has seen the completion of various rehabilitation projects at affected sites.
According to South African Government News Agency, in 2026, the department completed a sinkhole rehabilitation programme along the M5 (D374) in the Cradle of Humankind, Mogale City. Additionally, two sinkholes along the P122 Road in Doornkloof, City of Tshwane, were rehabilitated, with the first completed in April and the second in August 2026.
Rehabilitation efforts also extended to Hendrik Potgieter Road in Roodepoort, Mogale City, which was finished in June 2026. Earlier, in 2023, the department had completed work on Delmas Road (R50), connecting the cities of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Future repairs are planned, with completed investigations and designs for the R563 in Mogale City, where a contractor is soon to be appointed to begin repairs before the end of 2026.
On the R500 in the West Rand, geotechnical investigations are ongoing following preliminary assessments, and rehabilitation designs are being prepared. Similarly, designs for the sinkhole on Snake Road (R23) in the City of Ekurhuleni are complete, pending funding for contractor appointment and work resumption.
The GDRT has introduced a Standardised Sinkhole Response Protocol to enhance its sinkhole management, addressing challenges from dolomitic geology and ageing infrastructure. This protocol aims to provide comprehensive guidelines for risk assessment, ground stabilisation, and traffic management to protect infrastructure and minimise disruptions.
The department remains committed to monitoring sinkhole risks and conducting detailed assessments to guide ongoing rehabilitation efforts, ensuring the safety and functionality of critical road infrastructure.
