All hands on deck to respond to a section of road that collapsed in Lavender Hill

21 August 2023

The City of Cape Town is aware of photographs and videos circulating via WhatsApp of a refuse truck involved in an incident where a section of the road gave way while it was driving in Lavender Hill this morning. Residents are assured this matter is receiving our utmost attention. 

The City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management Alderman Grant Twigg, confirmed a refuse compactor truck was involved in an incident where a section of road gave way while the truck was driving in Lavender Hill this morning. There was no visible sign of damage on the road surface.

'Contingency measures are being put in place to ensure minimal delays to refuse collection services in the area. Counselling is also available for staff if needed,' said Alderman Twigg.

The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate is investigating the incident including its cause said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

'Currently the affected area has been cordoned off for safety reasons. The main priority at this stage is to ensure the area is structurally safe to recover the vehicle and then the necessary assessment of the area can be done to determine the cause of the incident, among which is a sewer collapse.

'SAPS as well as the City's Law Enforcement were also called to the site.

'We urge residents to please stay away from the site for safety reasons. This request applies while the officials are recovering the vehicle and conducting the assessment as well as throughout the period when the remedial work is being done. Once the necessary assessment has been completed, the way forward to remedy the situation will be determined. We regret any inconvenience caused and ask the public to please co-operate with us during this time,' said Councillor Badroodien.

Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City's Fire and Rescue Service, said the City's Fire and Rescue Service received a call at approximately 09:05 of a truck stuck in a hole in Lavender Hill, on Monday, 21 August.

'We dispatched a technical rescue vehicle with a crane and a crew from Wynberg to have the truck removed from the roadway.

'An adult female sustained minor injuries and was transported to hospital.

'Another towing service arrived to assist as the vehicle is extremely heavy. This is an ongoing scene at present,' said Carelse. 

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office