Tshwane Municipality says it has a budget shortfall of R180m to deal with sinkholes in city
Currently, the municipality said it’s aware of 60 sinkholes in the city and has only set aside R14 million this financial year to repair sinkholes.
A sinkhole in Centurion, Pretoria. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The Tshwane Municipality has a budget shortfall of over R180 million to manage sinkholes in the city.
With recent heavy rains, new sinkholes have started forming across the capital.
Currently, the municipality said it’s aware of 60 sinkholes in the city.
Human activity, housing developments, a growing population and frequent heavy rains have compounded the issue of sinkholes in the capital.
The Tshwane Municipality has only set aside R14 million this financial year to repair sinkholes.
Corporate Services MMC Kholofelo Morodi said the municipality needed at least R200 million to deal with all the sinkholes.
"It's a big concern. We understand the residents' frustrations and that’s why we want to take hands with national government that you guys need to come on board and help us reduce this for the sake of our residents, especially given our financial position," said Morodi.
The municipality wants the sinkholes to be declared a national disaster which would trigger emergency funds from Treasury.