Sewage Crisis Affects 300 Residents in Khaya

Over 300 individuals have been displaced after a sewer pipe burst, causing flooding in the Kanana informal settlement in Khayelitsha.

Residents are currently staying with relatives as authorities work to rectify the situation.

Ward Councillor Lucky Mbiza explained the sequence of events: “There was a sinkhole next to a nearby drain, and we called the City of Cape Town to address it. While they were on-site, the sewage pipe burst and created chaos.”

He mentioned that raw sewage spread throughout the settlement, leading to the evacuation of 110 homes and leaving 350 people without shelter.

“We reached out to the Gift of the Givers for help, and they responded promptly. Unfortunately, we couldn’t secure the local community hall since evacuees cannot return home. They will need to rebuild because people are unwilling to go back.”

Gift of the Givers project coordinator Ali Sablay stated their teams acted immediately following a distress call from councillors and community leaders on Tuesday night.

He noted: “A burst sewer pipe resulted in heavy flooding throughout the settlement, impacting many homes within minutes in what residents described as an unfortunate accident. Upon arrival, we witnessed the severe consequences firsthand: homes flooded with sewage, residents’ belongings destroyed, and food supplies tainted. Many families are in urgent need of basic necessities.”

The City of Cape Town’s Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, stated that the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is actively working to manage the situation.

Meanwhile, local activist Beryl Williams and retired police officer Captain Keith Blake have teamed up to assist Phumlani Village residents affected by a fire that left 15 people homeless.

City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed a house and four shacks were destroyed in a fire on Monday.

Williams remarked: “The community cleaned up the damaged structures on Wednesday and is working on rebuilding them.”

“Next week, I will be cooking for them, and once their structures are complete, I plan to donate some clothing. I visited on Wednesday, and it looked very sad. Yesterday, they removed the last burnt panels.”