“This page contains copies of correspondence sent by Bush Whackers to relevant authorities regarding the R563 sinkhole and related infrastructure concerns. It is published for transparency and public record.”

Urgent: R563 Sinkhole – 12 Months of Inaction, Financial Harm, and Irregular Bypass Construction

Inbox

Bush Whackers <bushwhackers1050@gmail.com>

Jan 9, 2026, 12:57 PM

to pressoffice.gpdrt, thulani.mdadane, bulelwa.thomas, chief.operating.engineer, info, premier, gwen.britz

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing to formally record and escalate my serious concern regarding the unresolved sinkhole on the R563, which has now remained an ongoing and unresolved problem for approximately 12 months.

I recently had a telephonic conversation with Ms (REDACTED – NAME WITHHELD), during which she confirmed that no wayleaves were ever properly arranged or approved for the bypass road that was constructed and subsequently halted. This admission raises grave concerns regarding governance, procedural compliance, and the use of public funds.

The consequences of this failure are severe and ongoing:

• The R563 remains partially unusable, unsafe, and unreliable

• Businesses in the area — including my own — have suffered measurable and sustained financial losses

• Traffic has been diverted for extended periods without a lawful or completed alternative route

• Taxpayer funds appear to have been spent on a bypass that was never legally authorised to proceed

It is deeply concerning that such a critical provincial route could be disrupted for an entire year due to what appears to be administrative negligence, with no visible accountability or urgency shown in resolving the matter.

I request, as a matter of urgency, the following:

1. A written explanation as to how construction of a bypass proceeded without secured wayleaves

2. Confirmation of who authorised the works and under what legal basis

3. A clear and binding timeline for resolving the sinkhole and reopening the R563 fully

4. Details of interim mitigation measures to protect businesses and road users

5. Clarification on whether any internal investigation or consequence management has been initiated

Please note that the prolonged closure and mismanagement of this road has direct economic impact on ratepayers and businesses, and may expose the Department and associated entities to claims for damages, as well as scrutiny by oversight bodies.

Should this matter continue without a concrete resolution plan and timeframe, I will have no choice but to escalate it further to:

• Provincial oversight structures

• The Office of the Premier

• Relevant media and business forums

This is not a threat, but a reflection of the seriousness of the situation and the unacceptable duration of inaction.

I expect a written response within 7 days, outlining actionable steps and timelines.

I trust this matter will now be treated with the urgency and seriousness it clearly warrants.

Yours faithfully,
Sandra Oddo
Bush Whackers
083-389-1848
Plot 105 Hekpoort Road Oaktree (R563)

R563 Closure and Systemic Failure in Gauteng Roads: PAIA Request, Full Disclosure, and Demand for Independent Audit

Inbox

Bush Whackers <bushwhackers1050@gmail.com>

Jan 16, 2026, 1:29 PM

to pressoffice.gpdrt, bulelwa.thomas, chief.operating.engineer, premier, gwen.britz, asanda.makubalo, Nomangisi.Dlamini, tipoffs, info, complaints, mec.roads, customerservices, info, complaints, headoffice, queries, bmalatji, secretary, info, floyd, plus, wanda, paia, mystory, tips, news, starsnews, letters, newsdesk, info, comment, webmaster947, newswires, info, media.treasury, citizen, enquiries, scopa, tips, presidency, info, citizen

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint and demand accountability regarding the continued closure of the R563, the failed bypass works, and what this situation clearly reveals about the broader collapse in road infrastructure governance across Gauteng.

While the R563 remains my immediate and most pressing concern due to its direct and ongoing economic impact on local businesses, jobs, and surrounding communities, it has become increasingly clear that this is not an isolated failure. The circumstances surrounding this project point to deeper, systemic issues in planning, procurement, financial control, and accountability within the Gauteng roads and transport environment.

This situation has now dragged on for more than a year with no credible plan, no timelines, and no transparency. Businesses are losing income, jobs are being lost, and communities are suffering, while public funds have already been spent with no tangible outcome. Despite this, senior officials continue to draw substantial salaries funded by rates and taxes, with no visible delivery to justify this expenditure.

Tender and Expenditure Disclosure – R563 (Primary Case)

I hereby request full disclosure of the tender awarded for the incomplete R563 bypass project, including:

the tender reference number and total value

the name of the awarded contractor(s)

the approved scope of work

proof of approved wayleaves (or a written explanation for why construction proceeded without them)

the total amount paid to date

the names and positions of the officials who approved the project and related expenditure

Proceeding with construction without legally secured wayleaves represents either a fundamental governance failure or a willful disregard for due process. Either scenario warrants serious investigation. The public has a right to know how much money was spent, who authorised it, and what—if anything—was delivered.

Waste, Salaries, and Failure of Oversight

Senior managers and executives within provincial roads and transport structures routinely earn in the region of R80,000 to R150,000+ per month, excluding benefits. These salaries are justified on the basis of strategic planning, infrastructure delivery, risk management, and accountability. The current condition of Gauteng’s road network—collapsed projects, unsafe roads, and indefinite closures—raises serious questions about how these responsibilities are being fulfilled.

Had proper governance been applied from the outset—honest planning, lawful procurement, secured wayleaves, and responsible financial management—the R563 situation, and many others like it across Gauteng, would not exist today.

Presidency Escalation Note

This matter is now being escalated to the Office of the President because it represents more than a local or provincial inconvenience. The R563 is a clear and documented example of a wider systemic failure in infrastructure governance, where public funds are spent without outcomes, economic damage is ignored, and no authority accepts responsibility. National-level oversight is now required to restore accountability and public trust.

Formal PAIA Request

In terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), this correspondence must be regarded as a formal request for access to records relating to:

the R563 bypass project

all associated tenders, contracts, variations, and payments

internal approvals, memoranda, and correspondence related to wayleaves

any internal reports, assessments, or investigations conducted to date

Failure to provide the requested information within the legally prescribed PAIA timeframes will leave me no option but to escalate the matter further through the appropriate statutory and oversight mechanisms.

Call for Independent Audit – Provincial Scope

Given the complete breakdown in trust, I formally call for:

a full, independent audit of the R563 project as a priority case study

an expanded audit into road infrastructure projects and expenditure across Gauteng, to determine whether similar failures, waste, or irregularities are widespread

the audit to be conducted by a properly qualified, independent authority

the findings to be made public in full

Internal reviews and generic responses are no longer credible or sufficient.

Response and Transparency Requirement

Any written response to this correspondence must:

directly address the issues raised above, and

be issued with the same media and oversight bodies CC’d, in the interest of transparency and public accountability.

Private or selective responses will be interpreted as an attempt to avoid scrutiny.

I expect a substantive written response. Silence, deflection, or template replies will only reinforce the perception that those responsible are unwilling to account for their actions.

Regards,

Sandra Oddo

Bush Whackers

Plot 105 Hekpoort Road Oaktree (R563)

083 389 1848

“Certain personal names or contact details may be redacted for privacy and safety. The original unaltered emails are retained in full for legal and evidentiary purposes.” “Redactions are applied solely to protect personal privacy and prevent misuse of personal information. The archive is published for transparency, public record, and infrastructure accountability.”

R563 Sinkhole – Public Record Summary

• Feb 2025: Sinkhole closure begins; road remains partially passable.

• 2025: Local businesses begin experiencing ongoing access disruption.

• Oct–Nov 2025: Major interruptions escalate, including periods of full road closure.

• 5 Feb 2026: Road access partially restored.

• 6 Feb 2026: GO report released to the public.

• 9 Jan 2026: First formal escalation email submitted.

• 16 Jan 2026: PAIA request and governance concerns lodged.

• PAIA Response Period: Lapsed without full disclosure.

• Current Status: Road remains partially usable via the bypass. Traffic is operating under temporary stop-and-go control; however, traffic management at the ends of the section appears incomplete, and current flow directs vehicles toward Tarlton, creating ongoing safety and access concerns.

Purpose of this Page

To maintain a transparent public archive of correspondence and to request formal accountability and resolution regarding the R563 infrastructure situation.