The continuous battle simply to cross the road or send children to school in Nomzamo reached boiling point last Friday (5 April) when a group of residents staged a blockade of the entrance to the City’s multifunctional depot in Strand.
They’re fed-up with sewage overflows and blockages, which have dammed-up entire streets for three weeks now, with little to no prospect of City action to resolve the issue, and blockaded the entrance demanding a honeysucker truck – specialised for liquid-waste removal – be dispatched to address the sewage dams.
“We’ve reported this issue so many times, requesting the municipality come and fix it,” said disgruntled resident Simphiwe Gqadu, “and we’ve begged and pleaded with them, but no-one comes out.”
He and about 15 other residents prevented any vehicles from exiting the premises until a truck had been dispatched.
When DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette arrivedon the scene about five metro police vehicles carrying law enforcement officers were monitoring the blockade, which appeared largely peaceful.
Dam of sewage for three weeks
“We always get services last, or sometimes not at all. Show me another area where sewage overflows and blockages are left to create a dam of sewage for three weeks,” Gqadu pointed out. He said dozens of residents were getting sick and the clinic in Nomzamo was full of ill patients apparently affected by the sewage. He complained residents could not move around freely, children were unable to get to school, and to make matters worse the sewage was so badly spread that there was no way to cross it or go around it.
“When we came here this morning they told us they’d be with us in 15 minutes,” Gqadu said. “Two hours later we are still waiting.” Later on Friday morning a truck was eventually dispatched and attended to the issue.
In response to a request for comment, Mayco member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien stated his department acknowledged the sewerage spillage incidents in Nomzamo, and the City’s water and sanitation operations team had been working at Michael and Lonja streets in Nomzamo since 31 March to clear the sewer blockages.
Blockage due to waste clogging sewers
“We extend our apologies for any inconvenience caused,” Badroodien said. “The blockage is caused by blankets, vehicle tyres, rags, sand and other foreign waste objects in the sewer network. A Water and Sanitation operations team is currently on site as work continues to unblock the sewer system.” According to Badroodien residents can help reduce sewer overflows by not using toilets, kitchen sinks and sewer drains like dirt bins.
“Sewer systems are designed to convey only human waste, greywater and toilet paper. Any other solid substances will eventually cause blockages and overflows. The sewer system should be used only in the way it was designed, to function to reduce the number of blockages and overflows profoundly. We appeal to residents and community leaders to use the available resources on the City’s website to join in efforts to raise awareness. At the end of the day the City cannot practically police what residents flush down the toilet or wash down their sinks, so it is up to communities to take responsibility. Let us work together to prevent sewer blockages.”
Badroodien said that residents are asked to log sewer overflows that they are aware of so depots can respond within their customer-service charter parameters.
“While challenges persist the City of Cape Town remains committed to addressing service-delivery issues and improving the quality of life for residents,” he said. “Through ongoing investments in infrastructure, technology, and community engagement, the City aims to create positive change and foster a more sustainable and resilient urban environment for all its residents.”
