Motorists cautioned about N12 in Stilfontein

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) is urging motorists who will be using the N12 in the vicinity of Stilfontein, in the North West, to take extreme caution when driving on that road during the festive season.

Sanral has detected signs of what looks like a sinkhole alongside the road reserve of the N12 in the Stilfontein area, which is located between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp. The roads agency has had to implement preventative measures to safeguard road users over the past weekend.

Ismail Essa, Sanral's Northern Regional Manager, said the area has experienced sinkholes in the recent past because the rock underneath is dolomite, which is prone to causing the development of sinkholes within the road surface or in the road reserve.

He said: "Although there are no signs of sinkholes forming within the road surface or in the road reserve, engineering geologists appointed by the Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality are currently conducting investigations including drilling of boreholes to assess the extent of the sinkhole. In the interim, the westbound carriageway, which carries traffic towards Matlosana (Klerksdorp) is closed off for about 1km and the traffic has been diverted temporarily onto the eastbound carriageway into one lane."

Essa said these safety measures would remain in place until the exploratory work had been concluded and more detailed information was available in order to assess the extent of the sinkhole and its possible impact on the N12 highway in the Stilfontein vicinity.

"In the interim we urge all motorists to take extreme caution when approaching this area, although we are confident that this temporary arrangement will ensure the safety of road users while a permanent solution is being sought," he said.