Khayelitsha residents protest about service delivery

CAPE TOWN - Hundreds of Khayelitsha residents blocked main roads and burnt tyres on Tuesday in protest over a lack of service delivery in the area.

According to residents, sewerage pipes have been blocked since last year, and efforts to get the City to fix it have not worked.

Principal of Avela Educare in Site B, Sheila Maqwentshu, said she had to close her centre due to overflow of a sewer in front of the gate.

The area’s Victoria Mxenge branch secretary, Ludwe Vara, said residents have vowed to embark on a total shutdown for the week if the City does not respond to their needs urgently.

“We have engaged with the City many times since February to come up with solutions but nothing came up.

“The only reason they gave us was that they are being robbed when coming to work in our areas.

“We then organised ourselves as the community including the Community Police Forums (CPFs) and Neighbourhood Watch, to protect them (council workers) when coming to work,” said Vara.

Good Party secretary general Brett Herron said the City has neglected Cape Flats and township communities.

“Their roads are broken, sewerage is leaking everywhere and into peoples homes and yards, parks are neglected, community facilities are unavailable for communities to use.”

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said no damage was reported and no one had been arrested during the protest.

“Plus minus 300 residents of Khayelitsha site B took to the streets (yesterday) morning protesting against poor service delivery in the area. Major routes connecting the area were closed as the protesters blockaded the routes with burning tyres. Police members were strategically positioned to monitor the march,” said Swartbooi.

The City did not respond to requests for comment by deadline on Tuesday.

Mayco Member for Water and Waste, Xanthea Limberg said efforts between the City’s Water and Sanitation Department and residents was the long-term solution to address sewer overflows in Site B and Site C in Khayelitsha.

“Dumping into sewers remains the cause of the majority of blockages/overflows. The City clears these blockages as they are reported, however, to solve the problem completely, communities need to be made aware of what can and cannot be safely flushed or washed down the drain.”

Cape Times