Residents of Witpoortjie Estate on Johannesburg’s West Rand are living in growing fear after three massive sinkholes opened up in different parts of their community, with illegal mining believed to be the main cause.

The sudden appearance of the sinkholes has intensified concerns in an area already struggling with frequent power outages, malfunctioning traffic lights, and ongoing crime. Community members say they now face the added daily anxiety of the ground beneath them potentially collapsing without warning.

Officials from the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), accompanied by Johannesburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene, conducted oversight inspections in the affected area on Monday as authorities assessed the extent of the damage and the potential risks to residents.

Illegal and unlicensed mining has long been a major issue across parts of the West Rand, but locals say the emergence of these dangerous sinkholes marks a new and alarming threat to their safety.

Some of the sinkholes are estimated to be more than 10 metres deep and around five metres wide. One of the most concerning is located dangerously close to a children’s play area, raising fears that an accident could occur if urgent action is not taken.

Parents in the community say they are particularly worried about their children, with many concerned that the exposed craters remain accessible despite the obvious danger.

Residents say the sinkholes serve as a stark reminder of the long-term environmental damage linked to illegal mining operations, which have destabilised underground structures and left communities vulnerable to disaster.

Kunene has promised urgent intervention and assured residents that their concerns are receiving serious attention. However, for many in Witpoortjie Estate, such promises have become familiar, and frustration is growing over what they see as delayed action.

Community members are now calling for immediate safety measures, including securing the affected areas and conducting further investigations into the extent of underground damage before the situation worsens.

As authorities continue their inspections, residents remain on edge, hoping swift intervention will prevent tragedy and restore a sense of security to their neighbourhood.

Traffic authorities in Limpopo have intercepted an overloaded cross-border bus carrying 90 passengers on the N1, raising renewed concerns over passenger safety and illegal transport operations on South Africa’s major highways.

The bus, which was travelling from Malawi to Johannesburg, was stopped during a routine traffic law enforcement operation near the Mashishing off-ramp outside Polokwane on Monday.

According to the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, the vehicle was licensed to carry only 70 passengers but was found transporting 90 people, exceeding its legal capacity by 20 passengers. Authorities also discovered discrepancies in the passenger manifest, with only 25 passengers officially listed despite dozens more being on board.

Officials from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Immigration Services were called to the scene to assist with investigations, including verifying the immigration status of those travelling on the bus.

Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, who attended the scene, expressed concern over the condition of the vehicle and the risks posed to passengers.

She said authorities suspect the bus may also be unroadworthy, adding that such vehicles continue to contribute to road fatalities in the province.

“We are discouraging this type of incident, where people travel in overloaded and potentially unsafe buses that put lives at risk,” Hadebe said.

Authorities also indicated that the bus had travelled a considerable distance before being intercepted, raising questions about how it managed to pass through multiple checkpoints undetected.

The Limpopo Department of Transport warned operators that overloading remains a serious violation of road safety laws and vowed to intensify enforcement operations targeting non-compliant public transport vehicles.

“We remind all operators that overloading puts lives at risk and is a direct violation of road safety regulations. Law enforcement will continue to act decisively against such practices,” the department said.

This is not the first time Limpopo officials have intercepted overloaded cross-border buses. In recent months, authorities have impounded several buses travelling between South Africa and neighbouring countries after discovering severe overloading, unroadworthy conditions, and permit violations.

Road safety experts have repeatedly warned that overloaded buses increase the risk of tyre blowouts, brake failures, and fatal crashes, particularly on long-distance routes.

Passengers on the intercepted bus are expected to be provided with alternative transport arrangements while authorities continue their investigation.

Members of the public have been encouraged to report overloaded or suspicious vehicles to law enforcement agencies to help prevent road accidents and protect commuter safety.

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has formally approached National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, calling for the initiation of Section 194 proceedings to remove Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka from office.

The party argues that Gcaleka failed to adequately investigate crucial aspects of the controversial Phala Phala scandal, raising concerns about her ability to fulfil her constitutional duties impartially and effectively.

According to the MKP, subsequent findings by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) revealed that the Public Protector did not properly address or refer possible criminal conduct, alleged abuse of state resources, and irregular actions involving senior police officials linked to the matter.

The party contends that these omissions point to possible incompetence and bias, warning that institutions established under Chapter 9 of the Constitution must remain independent and act without fear, favour or prejudice.

MKP maintains that the Public Protector’s office must serve the public interest and uphold accountability, particularly in cases involving high-ranking government officials.

The request places pressure on Parliament to consider whether to begin formal proceedings under Section 194 of the Constitution, which allows for the removal of office bearers at Chapter 9 institutions on grounds such as misconduct, incapacity, or incompetence.

The move adds further political scrutiny to the ongoing fallout surrounding the Phala Phala saga and could intensify debate over the effectiveness and independence of South Africa’s oversight institutions.