Zuko Komisa
- The R563 near the N14 intersection will remain indefinitely closed after geotechnical assessments confirmed that a developing sinkhole has made the area structurally unsafe for public use.
- Officials have begun excavating trenches to physically prevent motorists from illegally bypassing safety barriers, a practice the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport described as “blatant lawlessness.”
- Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has warned that ignoring the closure endangers lives, as the department coordinates with law enforcement to intensify patrols and prosecute trespassers.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has confirmed the indefinite closure of the R563 near the N14 intersection after geotechnical experts declared the area structurally unsound.
The decision follows the emergence of a sinkhole, which has rendered the route—and a previously proposed temporary bypass—too hazardous for public use.
In a move to prevent motorists from bypassing safety cordons, officials have begun excavating trenches across the road.
This drastic measure aims to physically block illegal access, as many road users have continued to disregard existing barriers and signage, creating a significant peril to themselves and local residents.
Gauteng MEC for Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, condemned this “blatant disregard” for safety, warning that such lawlessness endangers both the public and emergency services.
In response, the department is intensifying its collaboration with law enforcement to prosecute trespassers while installing additional high-visibility warnings.
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