News24 | Relief for Cape Town’s Philippi East residents after drains cleared, potholes finally fixed

After three months of waiting, Philipi East residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief because potholes have been fixed and blocked drains cleared.

• Philippi East residents are relieved after City workers finally cleared blocked drains and filled potholes that were causing headaches.
• For three months, residents complained about issues in Umyezo Drive, Luzuko Park, Philippi East.
• An educare centre said the impact was not just emotional, but financial.

After more than three months of persistent complaints, Umyezo Drive residents in Luzuko Park, Philippi East in Cape Town, can finally breathe a sigh of relief after critical repairs were conducted to fix potholes, and clear blocked drains, which led to flooding in the area.

The neglect had consequences for many, but most notably for the Kukhanyile Educare Centre, where parents withdrew 25 of its 70 children due to unhygienic and unsafe conditions caused by failing infrastructure.

Centre co-founder Amanda Gcelu said: “When I first reported the matter to the City, I had no idea it would take three months to fix.”

A web of overlapping failures

The crisis stemmed from a combination of issues, such as:

• Large, hidden potholes that posed a danger to motorists and pedestrians;
• Blocked stormwater drains, causing severe flooding; and
• Overflowing water concealing road hazards and creating unsanitary conditions.

“The water spilled out and covered the potholes – you couldn’t see them,” said Gcelu. “Motorists who didn’t know the road well really suffered.”

Residents often had to flag down vehicles to warn drivers of the hidden dangers beneath the water.

Emotional and financial toll

For many residents, the situation was unbearable.

Resident Jackie Makijima described constant efforts to clean up waste – including food scraps, used nappies, and cigarette butts – which flowed into her yard from the street.

“The rats are a nightmare,” she said. “They run into our homes because of the mess. It’s infuriating.”

Gcelu added that the impact on the educare centre was not just emotional, but financial.

“It’s dehumanising, and it’s drained our creche’s resources.”

City response

City teams responded on 27 September, identifying a burst water pipe, blocked stormwater drains, and extensive flooding.

Mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said the illegal dumping and unplanned infrastructure in informal settlements made regular maintenance extremely difficult.

“Water in the street wasn’t from sewer overflows,” he clarified, adding that teams were investigating the [reason for the] burst pipe and drainage issues.

He confirmed that the water had been drained, and expressed the need for residents to report service issues promptly.

“Our teams do respond when incidents are reported. But informal developments often block access to critical infrastructure, and illegal connections damage the system,” Badroodien added.

Mayoral committee member for urban mobility Rob Quintas cited further complications, including safety risks to City workers.

According to Quintas, a staff member was hijacked in the area on 29 September.

“Due to safety concerns, teams can only work with law enforcement present – and that’s not always possible,” he said.

Despite setbacks, the area was eventually made safe for driving, although the road has not yet been resurfaced.

A pothole and road patching project worth R2.2 million is planned for the current financial year, in addition to daily maintenance budgets.

Quinta’s said that last year, R3.5 million was spent on similar repairs in Philippi.

Claims process for affected residents

In response to the educare centre’s financial loss claims, mayoral committee member for finance Siseko Mbandezi outlined the public liability claims process for those seeking compensation.

He said forms and supporting documentation – such as cleaning invoices – could be submitted to the City’s insurance claims section.

“Each claim is assessed on its own merits, including whether there was any negligence or omission by the City,” he said.

Preventing future crises

The City also urged residents to help prevent future blockages by:

• Using official solid waste services;
• Avoiding dumping fats, oils, or objects down drains or toilets; and
• Promptly reporting water and sanitation issues.

Residents can visit www.capetown.gov.za/blocked-sewers for more information.

Both Gcelu and Makijima welcomed the City’s intervention, especially with the festive season approaching.

“It came just in time. And I know that on behalf of all of us staying in this street, we’re so happy and thankful the problem is sorted for now,” Makijima said.