The Merafong city local municipality is to move the entire township of Khutsong, outside Carletonville, because of the increasing danger of sinkholes in the dolomite underneath the 50-year-old suburb.
A technical report released by the municipality puts the price of the move to a new location south of the far West Rand town at R700-million.
”For almost 50 years residents of Khutsong … have feared for their safety due to the subsurface dolomite geological conditions in the area causing unpredictable ground movement and sinkholes.
”Merafong city local municipality has embarked on an ambitious endeavour to evacuate 22 000 affected households (15 000 informal structures, 5 000 backyard dwellers, 2 000 formal houses) to safety,” the municipality explained.
The report said the township has experienced ground instability problems since its establishment in 1958.
A 1997 geotechnical survey found that 90% of Khutsong falls within extremely high-risk zones that are totally unsuitable for human settlement.
”The biggest challenge to this initiative is Merafong city local municipality’s severe lack of funds. We have all the political backing, all the willpower and technical capabilities to undertake this project, but money is a huge hurdle.
”We are hoping to have the high-risk parts of Khutsong declared disaster areas so we can get funds from the National Disaster Fund in order to speed up the resettlement process,” the municipality said.
The municipality’s town planning department has identified a potentially suitable site south of Khutsong between Welverdiend and Carletonville. It has space for about 27 400 stands.
The residential potential of this area, however, will only be decided following the conclusion of a geological study, which is currently being undertaken with funds from the Provincial Housing Board.
”We have to be absolutely certain that this area will be safe, and that we will not place the residents of Khutsong in even more danger by relocating them,” the municipality said.
The geological study will be followed by an environmental impact assessment.
If both studies yield positive results the local municipality can go ahead with the purchase of the land and start the process of establishing the necessary infrastructure for relocation.
The projects are expected to provide a huge economic boost to the area.
About 40% of the people living in Khutsong are unemployed at present. All the infrastructure projects, such as the laying of the water and sewerage network and the construction of the houses, will be undertaken as labour-intensively as possible. — Sapa