A recent community meeting regarding the polluted Soet River canal has revealed a sharp divide between a group of residents and City of Cape Town officials.
The residents left the meeting feeling “bitterly disappointed” on Tuesday 16 September, claiming their health concerns were ignored in favour of a technical, jargon-filled report.
They allege the municipality gives preferential treatment to wealthier areas, while their community faces dire health risks from the stench of sewage and rodent infestations (“Soet River canal: ‘Swarms’ spark health concerns“, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 5 March).
The newly formed Helderberg Residents Concerned Group (HRCG) is calling for urgent mayoral intervention and an immediate, large-scale clean-up, insisting that a full canalisation project is the only long-term solution.
They also expressed anger over what they see as misplaced budget priorities, with City funds being allocated to beachfront beautification projects instead of their crisis.
“Poorer households, who already shoulder the burden of electricity, water, and service charges, are effectively subsidising a city that treats them as second-class citizens,” a HRCG spokesperson said.
The chairperson of the Soetriver Catchment Management Forum, Dave Walker, who is a Greenways resident, was accused of dominating the meeting’s decisions and not addressing the situation faced by surrounding communities.
Frustrations escalated when Councillor Chantal Cerfontein reportedly walked out of the meeting following heated exchanges.
When asked for comment, Cerfontein stated that the meeting was hosted by the City’s Water and Sanitation directorate and the Soetriver Catchment Management Forum, emphasising that the presentations were “very detailed and clear” on the functions and progress made to date.
“Residents need to start taking ownership of their surroundings and stop with the blame game,” Cerfontein said. “They are responsible for the conditions of our rivers and canals through constant dumping.”
Cerfontein claimed to have made numerous attempts to organise community clean-up operations, but says her requests “always fall on deaf ears and nobody pitches”.
She added that previous attempts to beautify the area with tree plantings were met with vandalism.
She commended Walker for his efforts to bring in outside resources to assist with cleaning and reducing illegal dumping (“Soet River saga: Turning the tide on pollution“, 7 August 2024).
Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, also weighed in: “The City is aware of the concerns raised by residents along the Soet River and takes these matters very seriously.”
Badroodien explained that pollution in urban waterways is a “complex challenge that requires joint responsibility, long-term investment, and ongoing community cooperation”.
Approached for a response to the allegations against him, Walker reiterated that he does not have any authority and only coordinates with officials. “I was at the first meeting when the forum was initiated and was elected chairperson, but the chairperson can be removed at any time, and whoever wants to take over has a clear path to do so,” he said.
Walker also reaffirmed that the entire community wants the same thing – a clean river. “Our approach may differ but only on technical grounds,” he said.
Badroodien mentioned the installation of solid waste interceptors and increased cleaning by teams to remove illegal dumping and litter.
The City also monitors blockages and maintains collaborative structures with ward councillors and the Soetriver Catchment Management Forum, Badroodien related.
“The City strongly rejects any suggestion that certain communities are being prioritised over others,” Badroodien asserted.
He further explained that river pollution is largely due to illegal dumping, sewer misuse, and stormwater inflows, which must be addressed across the entire catchment.
He identified the “densely-populated illegal informal settlement within the N2 road reserve” as a significant contributor to sewage pollution, calling this situation “completely out of the City’s control”.
Regarding the call for a full-scale canalisation project, Badroodien acknowledged the request, but cautioned that such projects require “extensive feasibility, environmental impact assessments, and significant budget allocations”.
In the meantime, he said, the City will continue with short- and medium-term measures and encourages residents to report issues through official channels and actively participate in the Soetriver Catchment Management Forum.
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