Morgen’s Village residents have asked Mayco member for informal settlements, water and waste services, energy Xanthea Limberg, to investigate why raw sewage had been spilling into their roads and into some backyards for nine weeks.
Resident and community worker, Beverley Baron-Chongo, said Ms Limberg had confirmed via WhasApp message, on Sunday April 15, that the matter should be investigated. She described the spillage as “unhygienic” and a “health risk”.
Ms Baron-Chongo said residents have been witnessing the spills on and off for nine weeks, with the most recent on Friday April 20, at Victory Drive, Ramblewood Drive and Cranberry Road.
The previous spill was on Saturday April 14.
“They do come and fix the problem, but then four to six days later it happens again,” said Ms Baron-Chongo. “We don’t know what the problem is if we, as the residents, are doing something wrong then they must come and tell us. Educate the people.”
Ms Baron-Chongo said they have had the problem for the last two to three years, but in the last nine weeks things got worse.
It is not the first time a Mitchell’s Plain community experienced such problems. Kitty Hawk residents, in Rocklands, had to deal with a similar challenge twice this year already.
Mayco member for area south, Eddie Andrews, said rags being flushed into the system contributed to the problem.
In February 2016, Mayco member for utility services, Ernest Sonnenberg, at the time said the problem was caused by theft and dumping (“Rocklands residents stuck in a messy affair,” Plainsman February 24 2016).
Anyone who puts anything into a municipal sewer that can block it is breaking the Wastewater and Industrial Effluent By-law.
The City of Cape Town had not responded at the time of going to print.
Residents can call 086 010 3089 or send an SMS to 31373 to report poor service delivery. To claim compensation, residents have to complete a public liability claim form and submit all supporting documents in writing to the City’s claims section. Residents can also use the form available on the City’s website. Email them to charlene.harmse@capetown.gov.za, fax to 086 202 9701, or to Chief Claims Administrator: Public Liability Claims, Insurance Section, 3rd Floor, Cape Town Civic Centre, Tower Block, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town, 8001.
