Residents of the Taliban informal settlement in Harare say they have been living with sewage problems for nearly three months after a drain burst, flooding their shacks with dirty water.
Resident Olwethu Nyandane described the area as a pigsty, saying sewage continues to seep into their homes. She said residents have no choice but to remain there because they have nowhere else to go.
“It’s been a while since the dirty water flooded into the area. City employees used to come and fix the drains, but they would burst again later. We don’t know where to go because we don’t have another place to stay,” she said.
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Nyandane said there are two drains in the vicinity that are constantly problematic and need to be fixed permanently.
Community leader slams City for inaction
Community leader Yanga Mjingwana criticised the City for dragging its feet on repairs to the drains. He said the City was aware of the sewage problem but had chosen to remain silent.
“There is little that the City does to develop the townships, particularly the black communities. It is not a mistake for us to stay here. It is the City’s failure to build houses for people. All we need are proper houses. No one in their right minds can stay in a place like this,” said Mjingwana.
City responds: structures built over sewer line hamper repairs
The City’s Mayco member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said the Water and Sanitation Directorate is aware of two sewer collapses in the sewer network in the Harare informal settlement, along Fuphi and Khali streets. He said these sewer collapses are affecting the Taliban informal settlement.
“The challenge is that residents have illegally built structures over the sewer infrastructure and teams are unable to access the site for repairs. The City’s Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements directorates are working diligently to relocate structures to enable the repair work.
“The collapses are caused by a combination of ageing infrastructure and ongoing misuse of the sewer network. Unfortunately, rehabilitation efforts have been delayed by the encroachments above the pipeline,” said Badroodien.
He stated that the City became aware of the issue around August 2026 and has been working to manage the sewer flow and gain access to the collapsed sections.
How residents can report sewer overflows
The City’s Water and Sanitation officials rely on residents to log service requests to be made aware of sewage issues. The City therefore encourages residents to continue to report sewer overflows as they happen via the following channels:
WhatsApp: 060 018 1505
Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
Email: water@capetown.gov.za
SMS: 31373 (maximum 160 characters; standard rates apply)
Call: 0860 103 089
Visit a City walk-in centre (see www.capetown.gov.za/facilities to find the one closest to you).
Relocation plan in progress
Badroodien said discussions are still ongoing between City departments, residents and other stakeholders.
“The City is doing its utmost to repair the affected line. The Human Settlements Directorate has fast-tracked its processes to secure land for a Temporary Relocation Area to facilitate the relocations,” he said.
