Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Residents furious after sewage floods their homes
OVERCOME Heights residents are furious at the City of Cape Town’s alleged neglect following a massive raw faeces spill that affected many households when a generator ran out of fuel at the Retreat sewage pump station on October 5.
City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibhongo said “damage assessments are under way”.
However, residents disputed that. Ember Mayoba said: “It’s not the first time this is happening, and we know it’s not the last time. No one has bothered to assess the extent of the damages.
Acting Mayco member for water and sanitation and Mayco member for finance Siseko Mbandezi said: “This time around, the cable was damaged, not stolen. It was, however, stolen a week prior to the damage.
“There was no damage to the pump. City workers had to refuel the generator to ensure the pumps run despite the cable damage. The generator size is sufficient to run the pump station and it has not failed. There was, however, a day when it ran out of fuel and the teams could not enter the area due to not having law enforcement to escort them. It was immediately refuelled the following morning.”
He has advised residents to submit a claim application to the City’s Insurance Claims Section for compensation. He said residents will need to provide all supporting information including invoices for expenses incurred in respect of the reasonable repairs carried out to the damage to their homes and damaged furniture. Photographs depicting the damage and contents damage, in particular depicting the furniture are also required.
“It is important to note that each claim is assessed on its own merit, which includes assessment of whether there has been any negligence or omission on the City’s side. Once the City has received the resident’s claim form or formal correspondence, a reference number will be provided for all future liaison. Residents may visit the City’s website to find and complete the City’s public liability claim form,” said Mbandezi.