JOHANNESBURG - In Johannesburg, potholes are not the only holes frustrating motorists.
Sinkholes linked to illegal mining are swallowing up whole roads, damaging infrastructure and threatening lives.
Residents in Roodepoort say they've watched roads deteriorate for years with little intervention.
In Selby and Springfield, the story is much the same.
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) officials and Joburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene conducted an oversight inspection on the West Rand on Monday.
He defended his visit, saying the city is fighting a battle it cannot win alone.
"We cannot fix the roads, we cannot do work in certain areas because of the illegal immigrants who are doing illegal mining..."
Officials are now calling for national intervention.
They say the army and Operation Prosper must all be brought in to focus attention on illegal mining in the city of Johannesburg.
They say the situation will only get worse unless illegal mining is urgently addressed.