Various communities in the metro have been affected by the storm, which has caused extensive damage and flooding.
Informal settlements worst affected by Cape Town floods
The people most severely affected are those living in informal settlements.
City Vision spoke to leaders of various communities to assess the conditions residents have been enduring since the heavy rains began.
Ward 40 councillor Bongani Ngcombolo in Gugulethu described conditions in his ward as dire. He said the hardest-hit areas were informal settlements.
Community leaders call for urgent housing and relief
“Shack dwellers are fighting a losing battle. They will never win until the City relocates them to proper housing or provides fully serviced sites. Every year during this season we complain about the same issues. It is heartbreaking to see both old and young people trapped in floodwaters.” He said areas most affected were New Rest, Barcelona, Europe, Vukuzenzele, Borched’s Quarry and Lwazi Park.
Ngcombolo added that the situation was made worse by the fact that the City no longer uses community halls to accommodate displaced residents.
SST informal settlement leader Lubabalo Msutu said, residents in Town Two, Khayelitsha were facing similar challenges. He noted that even children were unable to attend school because of the weather conditions.
“Our ward councillor, Thando Pimpi, informed City officials about the situation. We are still waiting. Maybe City officials will come later once the weather clears,” said Msutu.
He said all they needed are proper houses, adding that some families have been living in the area for more than 20 years.
Roads submerged, transport and schooling disrupted
In Makhaza, several streets were flooded, making it difficult for motorists to drive. Ward 96 councillor Lucky Mbiza said he is engaging local churches to shelter affected residents.
“Almost all the streets are flooded, including Dlavu, Nyanda and Japhta Masemola, which are among the worst affected. We do not know what to do. We are appealing to humanitarian organisations to provide food to flood victims.”
Other affected informal settlement areas in Khayelitsha include Nkanini Temporals, Thembeni, Mpolweni, Arch, Suka Section, Covid and Mew Way Temporals (all in Ward 95). In Ward 86 Strand, affected settlements include Ezinkomeni, Silahliwe, Pholile, Wag ’n Bietjie and Silahliwe.
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Disaster teams assess damage in affected communities
The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Charlotte Powell said assessments were underway in informal settlements affected by the severe weather.
She said teams had so far completed assessments in six areas, confirming 1 655 dwellings were damaged, affecting more than 5 600 people.
The affected areas include, Qandu Qandu, Khayelitsha – 1,000 structures (4000 people), Overcome Heights – 300 structures (500 people), Vygieskraal – 150 structures (600 people), Island informal settlement, Khayelitsha – 100 structures (400 people), Kampies, Philippi – 60 structures (100 people),Riemvasmaak – 45 structures (80 people).
“We have activated our humanitarian relief partners to provide warm meals and blankets to those affected,” said Powell. “Completed assessments will also be forwarded to SASSA and the National Department of Human Settlements. In the meantime, the Disaster Risk Management Centre is liaising with other relevant City services to determine what relief can be provided to residents.”
She added that assessments were continuing in several other areas and the total number of affected residents is expected to increase as more assessments are completed.
