Goodwood resident Vanessa van Zyl is concerned about blocked drains and burst pipes in the area.
The causes of this, Van Zyl describes, is the streets not being swept regularly and if they are swept it’s a half job. The leaves block the drains, so when it rains, the houses get flooded.
According to Van Zyl last month a pipe burst in their road, at the corner ofJoubert and Smartt street. “Unfortunately for us who live in the middle of the block where the street dips, the water floods our yard and goes into my two neighbours’ houses which are two steps lower than my house.”
Van Zyl often logs calls about the happenings. It gets fixed, but soon after it happens again. “I once logged a call for the burst pipe and an hour later I phoned again as the water started rising into our yard. The operator told me my reference number is for street lights out in Table View.
“So I said okay, then please log it again as a burst pipe and blocked drain. We landed up having an argument as she kept asking me for the first reference and the more I tell her I did not receive an SMS with a reference the lady just read it out to me and she is now telling me the number is wrong.
“So instead of just logging a new call she was arguing over the reference number.”
As stated by Van Zyl, while still arguing the water kept rising more and more. While searching for another number to contact and complain, the City’s van pulled up to shut the water off. Upon arrival the City council worker made known that it is a regular occurrence, as it was not the first time he had to shut water down.
“We are not the only people in Goodwood that have this problem in winter,” a concerned resident said.
Van Zyl said “my concern is there are plenty of old people in Goodwood that don’t have the means to deal with floods and the stress caused by this.
“A few years ago it was so bad my dogs almost drowned and both my neighbours had to put in claims as their electric appliances in their kitchen were damaged due to flooding. Also for carpets, and the pool of a neighbour in Wellington Street burst due to the flood. The other neighbour hired a water pump and came to suck up the water for all the old people around us.”
According to Luthando Tyhalibongo, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town, residents may submit a claim to the City insurance claims section for compensation by completing a public liability claim form and providing all supporting information.
This must include, but is not limited to, invoices in respect of expenses incurred, hospital records or medical certificates, and photographs depicting the exact location of the incident. Each claim is assessed on its own merit, which includes assessment of whether there has been any negligence or omission on the City’s side.
Once the City has received the resident’s claim form or formal correspondence, a reference number will be provided for all future liaison. Residents may visit the City’s website to find and complete the City’s public liability claim form.
The City’s Mayco member for urban mobility Councillor Rob Quintas said the City’s road infrastructure management department has scheduled a site inspection at the mentioned locations for early next week and will ensure that the stormwater pipes are mechanically cleaned if required.
If a pipe burst occurred within the area, it may be the case that the catchpits could be blocked with sand and gravel.
The City would like to remind residents to please ensure that their gutters are clear of leaves. These gutters need to be clean in order to prevent flooding.
