The first significant autumn rains arrived with force over the weekend, delivering an estimated 50mm to 60mm of rainfall across the Helderberg basin between Friday and Tuesday morning .
While the bulk of the region’s infrastructure managed the deluge, informal settlements bore the brunt of the cold fronts. The most severe impact was felt in an informal settlements in Lwandle, adjacent to the local police station.
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso reported that hundreds of structures were inundated, leaving families struggling to protect their belongings. “The reality is that these homes are located on a wetland,” Diniso admitted.
He confirmed that humanitarian organisations have since stepped in, providing displaced residents with warm meals and blankets.
In contrast, surrounding areas like Nomzamo saw fewer disruptions thanks to a proactive winter preparedness programme.
Proportional representative councillor Unathi Lasiti noted that the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation and Urban Mobility directorates had recently completed a deep-clean of gullies, drains and stormwater infrastructure from Simon Street to Michael Street.
“This ensured that main roads within the area remained clear,” Lasiti said on Monday 20 April.
“While there was some localised flooding on Saturday in streets like Mxolisi Street, the water subsided quickly because the sand traps had been cleared just a month ago. As of today, there is no severe flooding in Nomzamo or Lwandle’s formal areas.”
Further into the basin, the outlook was similarly stable.
Following a site visit on Sunday 19 April, Ward 83 councillor Carl Punt confirmed that the Lourens River remained within its banks despite the heavy downpour.
“I found that no major flooding had occurred,” Punt reported. “There were only a few stormwater drains that struggled with the sheer volume of water or were partially blocked by debris.”
Subcouncil 8 chairperson Chantal Cerfontein, who is also councillor for Ward 85, echoed these findings, stating that the only reported overflows were linked to ongoing pipe replacement projects rather than system failures. She noted that City teams attended to these issues with “immediate effect”.
The calm extended to Strand North and the Kay’s Community, where residents confirmed that no flooding incidents were reported throughout the weekend.
Ali Sablay, project manager for Gift of the Givers in the Western Cape, confirmed they have been contacted for assistance by community leaders in Lwandle and Nomzamo.
