The city of Cape Town has initiated urgent infrastructure repairs to address severe collapses in sewage pipes that are negatively impacting sanitation services in the Khayelitsha area.
A member of the City Master Committee, Zahid Badroodien, inspected the excavated section between residential buildings and sanitary facilities to emphasize the critical need for safe and accessible sewer pipe repairs.
Badroodien noted that these collapses affect vital infrastructure serving communities throughout Khayelitsha. He acknowledged the difficulties associated with relocating affected residents, stressing that relocation is necessary to ensure safe access for repair crews to damaged areas and to carry out the work.
The city strongly urged residents to avoid constructing buildings over service points and pipeline zones.
Repair Strategy and Progress
The repair process involves several stages. First, repair teams must conduct excavation work on the affected sections to reach the damaged underground network. Then, workers will remove the destroyed infrastructure and install more durable pipes capable of withstanding future loads.
After installation is complete, the excavated areas will be restored through backfilling, compaction, and full rehabilitation.
Relocation and Call for Cooperation
Badroodien explained that since the structures were built directly over communication corridors, the repair work depends on ensuring unimpeded and safe passage for heavy machinery and personnel. He appealed to the public to continue cooperating and asked residents to refrain from building structures over sanitation service lines and access points.
Badroodien added that the City intends to work with affected residents to find solutions that allow these vital repairs to be carried out quickly and safely.