A viral video showed a cyclist falling into a large, water-filled hole on Margaretha Prinsloo Street in Klerksdorp, North West. The cyclist was travelling down the street when he suddenly fell into the hole, and a pedestrian nearby pulled him out. The video also showed the pedestrian struggling to retrieve the cyclist's bicycle, which had become submerged in the muddy water. The hole was estimated to be about 2m deep.
The business owner who posted the video, Mark, visited the area to investigate what had happened. After reviewing footage from a CCTV camera outside his shop, he discovered that a burst pipe had caused the hole. The pipe had broken through the paving just hours before the incident, and water had started seeping from the ground around 6am. By 7am, the pipes underground had burst, causing water to gush from the cracks.
Mark reported that the erosion and flooding continued for some time before the paving gave way, forming a large hole filled with water. He notified the municipality about the issue, and shortly after, the cyclist fell into the hole. Fortunately, someone assisted him, but Mark expressed concern about what could have happened if no one had been around. The cyclist was submerged in the water, and Mark feared for his safety.
The municipality shut off the water supply and replaced the pipe, but Mark reported that the one connecting to his shop was also damaged. He was told that the municipality did not have the specific pipe to connect his property and would have to wait. DA caucus leader Gerhard Strydom said the cause of the pipe burst was unclear and raised questions about how quickly the water was isolated and the area was made safe.
The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists in Klerksdorp, including potholes, speeding taxis, crime, and a lack of safe cycling infrastructure. Cyclists in the area say they face daily challenges, and some have expressed concerns about crime, particularly those travelling early in the morning or returning home late at night. Stan, a cyclist from Alabama informal settlement, said crime was a major concern, and the lack of a nearby police station made it difficult to report incidents.
Other cyclists, such as Oarabile Mogapi, said the economy in the area left them with no choice but to use a bicycle. Mogapi stated that cycling saved him money but was unsafe due to the risk of being attacked or hijacked. Some cyclists carry pangas or knives for protection, and they often travel early in the morning and return from work in the dark, making it a hazardous journey.
Local cycle shop owner Jacobus Steyn said while road infrastructure was not the biggest issue, it still made cycling difficult. Steyn noted that potholes and poor lighting added to the risks, but the bigger issue was physical safety. He stated that a cyclist on a bike was very vulnerable, and more needed to be done to ensure their safety on the roads.
Key points
- The burst pipe that caused the hole was not immediately isolated, highlighting concerns about municipal response times.
- Cyclists in Klerksdorp face various risks, including crime, potholes, and a lack of safe cycling infrastructure.
- The incident has raised questions about the state of service delivery in Matlosana municipality.
