Makhaza sewage crisis: Residents endure unbearable conditions

Life has become unbearable for residents and hawkers in Makhaza, who have been forced to live and work amid the overwhelming stench of raw sewage for nearly a month.

A massive sewage spill, which began on Saturday, November 29, has continued to overflow into homes, doorways, and trading areas, leaving the community desperate and frustrated.

The spill, believed to stem from a burst sewer pipe, has sent waste flowing through several streets and into shacks and houses. Some vendors have already abandoned their stalls, choosing to stay home rather than work in these hazardous conditions.

Angry residents accuse the City of Cape Town of neglecting their pleas for help and shifting the blame onto them for living above underground sewer lines. They say the municipality has failed to urgently repair the damaged pipe, allowing the problem to worsen as the spill enters its fourth week.

The pool of raw sewage has left many community members unable to move freely, forcing them to navigate through stones and makeshift pathways just to get around. However, for most, the biggest fear is the escalating health risks.

One resident, who identified herself only as Nokuphiwa, said that the City should take responsibility for resolving the crisis rather than blaming residents.

“We have lived in this settlement for more than 10 years, constantly asking for proper service delivery,” she said. “We cannot continue living like this; we stay here because we have nowhere else to go. Our children are growing up in these conditions. This is a serious health hazard.”

Another resident, Mzubanzi Tolo, mentioned that some shacks have begun sinking due to the constant flow of sewage beneath them. With the festive season approaching, he fears families may lose everything.

“Some shacks are already sinking. It’s a big problem. The stench is unbearable, and it’s difficult to move around. People are using stones and scraps of material just to cross the sewage,” he said.

He urged authorities to act immediately. “They must repair whatever is broken so people can live their lives again.”

For local businessman Ntobeko Mavumisa, the sewage spill has cost him his livelihood. He was forced to abandon his braai stand because the smell drove customers away.

“The smell makes it impossible to trade, and now I cannot provide for my family,” he said. “Despite many complaints to the councillor and the City, nothing has changed. I don’t know what to do because I have no income now.”

Ward 96 councillor Lucky Mbiza confirmed that the collapse occurred on November 29 and said the situation has continued to deteriorate.

“It is getting worse and worse,” he said. “Everyone in the City knows about it, but they are playing hide and seek. We hope they will eventually assist -maybe they are still looking for a solution.”

Vukani reached out to the City of Cape Town for comment, but it had not responded at the time of going to print.