The North West Department of Education and Matlosana Local Municipality have dispatched teams of engineers to assess the potential sinkhole threat at Laerskool Stilfontein in Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp. The suspected sinkhole was observed on Monday, 25 May 2026.

On 25 May 2026, Monday morning, the school groundsman noticed unusual ground subsidence near the classroom block in the early hours. He immediately alerted the school management. As a precaution, learners were then taken to a safe place following the sinkhole scare.

The North West Department of Education and the Matlosana Local Municipality held urgent meetings to find a solution to the problem. Both institutions brought in independent engineers to assess the exact challenge at the school.

MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, emphasized that the safety of learners and staff is the top priority.
“As a Department, we are aware of the sinkhole threat experienced at the school and our priority is to ensure the safety of learners and staff. We want to applaud the school management for ensuring that everyone was safe after the threat was identified. We have kept the learners at home until we know exactly what problem we are facing.

“We also want to commend our teachers who are ensuring that learners do not fall behind in their studies. Teachers are continuing to run lessons via WhatsApp and other platforms. This situation is particularly concerning because learners are due to start their midyear examinations next week. As a Department, we are also looking for space in nearby schools and churches to assist should the problem persist,” insisted MEC Motsumi.

MEC Motsumi further highlighted that the Department is currently awaiting the engineers’ report, which will indicate the seriousness of the situation at the school.
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Issued by the North West Department of Education
For more information, please contact:
Vuyo Mantshule | Departmental Spokesperson | 073 217 7335
Dr Elias Malindi | Head of Communication | 072 892 8399