MFUNDO PILISO and ZENAKHE GXASHE
Buffalo City Metro has finally fixed the notorious sinkholes plaguing Eastern Beach, which had turned one of the city’s prime coastal walkways into a danger zone.
Residents long decried the craters as a pedestrian peril, endangering joggers, walkers and tourists visiting the area, while growing deeper and more treacherous over nearly three years.
The holes also sheltered homeless people, alleged drug users, and scavengers, prompting safety concerns, as reported by Go! last year.
Police spokesperson Captain Hazel Mqala noted at the time that no formal cases had been filed.
However, locals insisted the danger felt palpable, especially for evening strollers along the promenade.
Enter BCM’s action. The beachfront sinkholes have now been fully repaired, with daily clean-ups led by a dedicated team in partnership with the Quigney Ratepayers and Residents Association and local businesses.
The community is thrilled.
University of Fort Hare first-year law student Litha Libala, 18, said he was relieved as he could now enjoy walking along the walkway feeling “carefree”.
Libala said he had always felt nervous of walking in the area with his cellphone visible.
“I feel safe now walking along the beachfront — that hole was dangerous, and the scary stuff happening inside it kept me away,” he said.
“This space is vital for East Londoners and us students to unwind at.
“The thugs are gone; they can’t hide any more. Thanks to the municipality — I’m jogging here again.”
Walter Sisulu University first-year information systems student Linomtha Rhoxwana, 17, shared in his relief.
“As a young woman, safety is everything, and I dreaded passing that hole.
“I worried about night-time falls too.
“Now it’s fixed, I’m enjoying my walks without fear,” said Rhoxwana.
“This is a space where we should all feel safe and welcome.
“It is encouraging to see this work finally being done by government.”
The repair reclaims Eastern Beach as a safe haven, letting residents and visitors savour KuGompo City’s coastline with renewed confidence.
Secretary of the Quigney Ratepayers and Residents Association, Lwandy Ngebe, said she was hugely relieved when she saw the deep sinkhole at Eastern Beach had finally been repaired.
“I breathed a sigh of relief. It was an accident waiting to happen,” she said.
“That hole posed a real danger to both the community and visitors to Eastern Beach, especially children and the elderly.”
Ngebe said the long-standing issue had significantly impacted how residents had used the beachfront on a daily basis.
“People could not safely walk through that part of the beach access,” she said.
“Now, with the repairs having been completed, we are already seeing more people returning to that area, although cars are still not allowed through.”
She believes the improvement will go a long way in restoring public confidence in the space.
“This will definitely encourage more residents and visitors to return to Eastern Beach,” she said.
“But reopening the road to vehicles would make an even bigger difference, as it would allow for more parking.”
Ngebe emphasised that maintaining public infrastructure was essential for the wellbeing of the community and the local tourism economy.
“This repair was long overdue.
“Now the focus should be on reopening access routes and increasing parking availability,” she said.
“We would also like to see greater law enforcement visibility to ensure the area remains safe and well-managed.”
