Residents dump garbage in protest

SITE C residents in Khayelitsha emptied their garbage bins at the City’s offices in Makhaya in protest over uncollected garbage.

The residents said garbage thrown into a sewage canal had caused blockages and flooded their homes in Shukushukuma, a nearby informal settlement.

Resident Xolani Gwili said that after numerous consultations with the Subcouncil 9 manager and ward councillor the residents barricaded the roads in desperation over the stench of overflowing sewage.

“The sewage canal was blocked due to illegal dumping after a contractor tendered by the City stopped collecting garbage and resulted in people using the canal as a dumping site. In October last year we went to the municipality and asked them to clean the canal before the rainy season, but to no avail.

“It was after residents blocked the roads that the City people eventually came here last Thursday to drain the water from the canal. Another cleaning crew also came only to dump the garbage next to the canal, left at 12pm and never came back. We were told that the people who had started the job were on leave. Mind you, it’s the rainy season and in no time garbage will be back in the canal,” Gwili said.

Community leader Khaya Kama said sewage had flooded shacks and close to 50 families had abandoned their homes. “The smell is unbearable… this is not healthy, especially during a pandemic.

“We don’t expect our communities to be in such a situation… one crisis upon another. People are in danger, especially young people,” said Kama.

The City said it was mobilising role players to determine what could be done. “It must be noted, however, that the settlement was formed illegally on a stormwater detention pond that is designed to collect water when it rains. However, a refuse collection service is provided to Shukushukuma, as well as general cleaning.

“Cleaning has been affected by a vehicle shortage in recent months – but it is taking place,” the City said.