I am writing with regard to an article published on Wednesday 11 February, regarding the sewer overflows in Broadlands Park and some parts of Gustrouw (“‘Ons is nie diere nie!’“, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette).
I raised these concerns in our monthly Subcouncil 8 meeting on Thursday 22 January. In this meeting I made it clear that we are very happy with the progress of the upgrades taking place. This will have great long-term benefits.
However, I requested short-term interventions or solutions from the Water and Sanitation Directorate regarding the constant and repetitive sewer overflows. These have been haunting these communities for a few months now.
My fellow councillor Evolino Simons also sent an email to Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, in early February. He has not responded, even after a follow-up email was sent to him.
We requested a site visit to speak to the residents. We wanted him to see the terrible situation they are living in, not to mention the health implications.
On Wednesday 18 February, Councillor Badroodien, together with the mayor of Cape Town, conducted a site visit in Helderberg. They were checking on the progress of the water mains upgrades.
This visit was not announced via subcouncil. Only some councillors were aware of the visit; none of the opposition councillors serving on subcouncil were informed or invited to join. Yet, we are expected to deliver the same services to our community.
My concern is that Councillor Badroodien was aware of the sewer overflows in these areas.
He came to Strand and did not even attempt to add these areas to visit.
It is concerning that our people’s plights and challenges are ignored by the powers that be. They are mandated to deliver a certain level of service, but never do.
Yet come elections, these areas are the first they visit with a T-shirt and food parcel.
They ask for votes from the very same people they ignore for five years.
Felicia Solomons,
PR COUNCILLOR (NCC)
Chantal Cerfontein, Subcouncil 8 chairperson, responds:
Councillor Solomons raised these issues in the subcouncil meeting and it was noted with concern. The purpose of the 18 February visit was to oversee all capital projects of the City currently underway in the Helderberg basin. I only received the invitation for the visit via the Mayoral Committee office a day or two prior. Protocol is to inform the subcouncil, whereby an invitation is sent to all councillors serving within the subcouncil. My office took this up with the offices of the Mayoral Committee members, as this was the first time the subcouncil was not informed. As the subcouncil chairperson, I highlighted all major projects and programmes being rolled out in the Helderberg which is public knowledge. I believe in transparency and always keep the house informed.
Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, responds:
Our recent visit to the Helderberg with the mayor confirmed the progress of the close to R1 billion being invested in the area. This includes the Gordon’s Bay Pump Station and Rising Main, the Trappies Sewer Rehabilitation, the Lourens River Flood Alleviation Project, the Sir Lowry’s Pass River upgrade and ongoing pipe replacement programmes. These are long-term interventions that strengthen the entire network and have been publicly welcomed across the political spectrum.That said, I am clear that where residents are experiencing sewer overflows, we must respond decisively.
In Broadlands Park and parts of Gustrouw, the current overflows are linked to a sewer collapse and excessive sand and foreign objects in the system. Emergency repairs are being arranged and we are finalising the appointment of the contractor.
Repairs are expected to start in the near future, and our teams continue to respond to sewer overflow notifications and delivering relief.
We take every sewage spill seriously because dignified sanitation is non-negotiable. The City remains committed to resolving current challenges, investing in resilient infrastructure and working with residents to protect and strengthen the sewer network for all.
