Residents in Nomzamo, Cape Town, won’t vote in the upcoming elections if the City does not clear the sewage from the streets.
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One of the residents of Ndzuzo Street, Cindy Kope, told News24 that their living conditions were appalling, mostly attributed to the establishment of the Robben Island informal settlement.
‘Robben Island residents built their shacks in the pond. So all the dirty water that is supposed to go into the pond moves into the streets!’
She says City of Cape Town employees stopped cleaning the sewage, and motorists can no longer use the street due to its condition.
‘It is bad. No normal person can stay under these conditions. However, we stay because we don’t have any other place to go. I don’t see the point of our voting, especially here in our street.’
‘I’ve made up my mind I’m not going to vote if we have to continue living like this. The whole area stinks like a latrine.’
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According to the City’s Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Bardroodien, the department is aware of the sewerage spilling in Nomzamo.
‘The City’s Water and Sanitation operations team has been working at Michael and Lonja Streets in Nomzamo since 31 March 2024 to clear the sewer blockages. We extend our apologies for any inconvenience caused.’
‘The blockage is caused by blankets, vehicle tyres, rags, sand and other foreign waste objects in the sewer network. A Water and Sanitation operations team is currently on site as work continues to unblock the sewer system.’
He adds that the current sewer systems are only designed to convey human waste, grey water and toilet paper and that any other solid substances will cause blockages and overflows.
‘The sewer system should only be used in the way it was designed to function to profoundly reduce the number of blockages and overflows. The City has education and awareness campaigns about illegal dumping into the sewer system, including our Bin It, Don’t Block It Campaign.’
He appeals to the residents and community to make use of the City’s resources, available on its website, to raise awareness.
‘At the end of the day, the City cannot practically police what residents flush down the toilet or wash down their sinks, so it is up to communities to take responsibility.’
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook