Dozens of families relocated after sewage pipe burst in Makhaza

The relocation of sewage flood victims from Lansdowne Road Informal Settlement also known as LR in Makhaza is ongoing. The initiative came after more that 40 shacks were flooded following the sewage pipe burst in the area in November last year. (“Shacks fall into sewage sinkhole”, City Vision, 4 December 2025).
The City’s Mayco member for human settlements Carl Pophaim said the relocation remains essential to ensure the safety of residents and to allow teams safe access to carry out the necessary emergency repair work.
“In the Lansdowne Road Informal Settlement section, all vacant structures were removed with the full cooperation of residents, no personal belongings were in the area. In the SST area, approximately 32 families have been relocated thus far and another 14 families will move in due course. The City’s engagements with residents continue,” said Pophaim adding that in the LR section at least 19 families will be allocated units in the Temporal Reserved Area and the City is investigating all available options to assist the remaining families.
He stated that the relocation site accommodates 73 residential units measuring 3m x 6m, 16 chemical toilets, perimeter fencing, stormwater infrastructure, and a designated area for taxi operations. He stated that these measures ensure secure, functional and dignified living conditions for residents.
He emphasised that 27 TRA units were vandalised and stolen, including the contractor’s temporary fencing early this month.
“In addition, 13 units were vandalised. Additional security has since been deployed and the damaged and vandalised structures have been replaced and repaired and have been allocated to the affected resident,” he said.
Ward 96 councillor Lucky Mbiza said the City has removed all the affected shacks in the area.
“In total there are 49 shacks that were removed from the LR area to pave a way for the construction to work. Only 28 families relocated to the new TRA’s. Other families are still squatting with their family members and friends. The City is busy looking for land to accommodate them,” said Mbiza.
Resident Pumla Pupa has mixed feelings about her relocation to the new area. She questioned the size of the TRAs saying that they are too small.
“I’m happy with the fact that I moved to a safe area. But, I’m not happy with the size of the temporal structures. I had a shack with a three-bedroom, a kitchen which included a dining room. We are a family of six members including two children. Where is privacy in one room?” asked Pupa, adding that there is no space for extending the TRA’s.