Residents of Gugulethu say they have been trapped in their homes due to severe flooding caused by overflowing sewers and inadequate stormwater infrastructure.

Wendy Mtsi, a resident of the New Rest area on Tambo Road, said the water levels in her yard have become so severe that she can only leave her home by jumping over a back wall with assistance.

“Someone must help us to get to the other side of the yard, and if one can’t jump over, then they will have to stay at home,” she said.

“I have a seven-month-old baby, and this water is dirty because it is mixed with faeces. I fear that my baby might get sick from this. We have nowhere else to go and have no choice but to stay here and wait for help.”

She added that residents felt neglected because they lived in formal housing, not informal settlements.

“This place is worse than being in an informal settlement. It is always like this. When we know it is going to rain, we get worried.”

Community leader Nobuntu Mtimkulu said flooding has been a recurring issue for years, particularly after heavy rainfall.

“People usually aren’t able to leave their homes; their houses become flooded and damage their furniture, even their groceries,” she said.

“Some people have gates that connect to the neighbours behind their houses, so they can go out of their yards. The schoolchildren have to finish dressing up on the road because they have to walk on the dirty water. We have old and disabled people who can’t access medical facilities.”

Mtimkulu said the area had repeatedly asked the City of Cape Town for assistance, including disaster relief support.

“We have provided our details for disaster relief, but because we live in formal houses, we feel overlooked.”

She suggested fencing off a nearby pond where residents often dump waste, saying it could be a more permanent solution.

“I think that would be a permanent solution rather than the city sending people to clean it and remove the dirt. Next week, if it rains, there will be floods again, even if they clean it.”

Local councillor Bongani Ngcombolo confirmed he had raised the issue with the city.

“I think the problem is with the stormwater pipes and also the sewer drains. We have a few stormwater drains in the area. This is a formal area, and this is surprising.”

Ngcombolo added that even during dry periods, sewer overflows persist.

“When it’s not raining, we have a sewer. The infrastructure is the problem. We have reported to the city, and the stormwater workers were in the area to try and release the water.”

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za

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