City faces backlash over sinkhole crisis in Khayelitsha

While the City faces criticism for not repairing damage caused by sinkholes due to a collapsed sewer system in Khayelitsha SST section of Town Two, it hit back, stating residents were warned not to build their homes on existing municipal infrastructure.

The local ward councillor said officials were afraid to visit the site after an attempted robbery.

Three homes in the area have since been affected, with families being forced to evacuate. The collapsing sewer pipe issue began last year, and one of the residents reportedly fell inside one of the holes.

In a statement issued, Roscoe Palm, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor, criticised the city’s failure to repair the damage, claiming there were at least eight incidents reported.

“The City of Cape Town must immediately deploy emergency engineering teams to stabilise the affected area. A caring City would also provide safe, temporary accommodation for all displaced and at-risk families. An investigation must be launched to determine whether this phenomenon threatens more homes and lives," he said.

"It is unacceptable that residents continue to live in danger due to collapsing infrastructure and bureaucratic delays. Communities like SST have long been treated as after thought in the City’s planning and investment priorities. Every person deserves safety and dignity, regardless of where they live. The lives of Khayelitsha residents are not disposable."

However, the City's Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, said residents were warned not to build on top of an essential service servitude, as it is illegal and places lives and property at risk.

"Since the line first broke in 2024, the City has submitted several requests for the removal of this structure to enable the appointment of an emergency contractor to carry out necessary repairs. The structures must be removed to allow safe access for the City's maintenance team or a qualified contractor to excavate and repair the line in accordance with safety and engineering standards.”

"The sunken areas have been temporarily filled with milling material to reduce immediate risk, but this is an unsustainable measure that does not address the root cause.”

The City, in a separate response said: "Our teams, together with the political leadership, are working to identify areas for the relocation of the affected families. The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is on standby to complete the essential repair of three sewer pipe collapses in SST Informal Settlement in Town Two, Khayelitsha. This can only start after structures built on top of the sewer pipes are relocated.”

It had the repair of two out of five sewer collapses that affected SST Informal Settlement late last year. Structures built by residents on top of the sewer system are currently blocking access to the remaining three damaged sewer sections, causing delays in repairs. 

Following multiple engagements with residents and stakeholders, 16 structures were moved last year. This enabled the repair of a 10-meter section of sewer pipe, situated three meters deep underground. This first leg of work was done in December 2023 and cost about R421,000 to complete.

Ward councillor Thando Pimpi said their hands were tied as officials due to crime: “For the past two weeks, we managed to visit that site, but before we went on site, we had a special meeting briefing in front of Town Two Clinic where all departments met, the office of the Mayor and the delegation. After the briefing, when we had to take them to the structures, we didn't even go on site; there were guys around the cars who wanted to rob us as officials. We called the police and were made safe by SAPS, which escorted everyone out of the area."

Town Two leadership, Ntombekhaya Mayongo, added their frustration. “Our ward councillor reported this issue of sinkholes several times, and the City promised to relocate our people; even today, they are still there. We called the Mayor, and nothing happened. The Mayor prioritises the project of Lumkani, not the risk that our people are in.”

Last month, Khayelitsha residents marched to the Civic Centre, clashing with police, to demand improved basic services from the City and provincial government. Led by councillors, the hundreds of protestors gave authorities seven days to respond to their memorandum.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus