| Blocked sewers in Uitsig increase by 165% due to extortion threats, safety concerns and dumping | Blocked sewers in Uitsig increase by 165% due to extortion threats, safety concerns and dumping | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>Only 8,2% of the City’s project earmarked to replace 5 120 metres of sewer pipes in Uitsig has been completed following extortion threats and safety concerns that has led to this vital work being put on hold until further notice. <br></p> | <p><span style="text-align:justify;">The Uitsig community is battling with sewer overflows in the area due to the accumulative impact of ageing infrastructure that needs to be replaced. A City project aimed at fixing this has been put on hold due to extortion threats and safety concerns. Foreign waste items dumped into the sewer network and resulting in blockages has also contributed to sewer overflows.</span></p><p>Phase 1 of the sewer pipe replacement programme in Uitsig kicked off in July 2023, as part of the City's R863,6 million city-wide investment in replacing water and sewer pipes. <br></p><p>This saw 420 metres of sewer pipelines replaced and upsized to accommodate the sewage flow increase in Jacaranda Avenue and Pansy Crescent as the population in the area has grown over time. <br></p><p>The progress of this phase was delayed by a number of challenges, including sewer pipeline collapses in Jacaranda Avenue, which required repairing; electricity cable theft, which created an unsafe working environment; the excessive winter rains and delays in the reinstatement process due to intimidation and extortion threats received by the City-appointed contractor. As a result, Phase 1 ended in September 2023, a month later than planned. <br></p><p><span></span></p><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Uitsig%20project%20during%20September%202023.jpg" alt="" /></figure>Subsequently, despite the City's efforts to continue with Phases 2 and 3 of the project, contractors remain hesitant to bid, citing safety and security concerns.<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">'The City cannot afford to have extortion continue blocking this crucial sewer pipe replacement project because the residents are the ones most affected. That's why the aim of the <em>Enough </em>campaign is to increase public reporting of extortion activity so our various projects can continue with minimal challenges.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">'This is one of many Water and Sanitation Infrastructure projects that are unfortunately affected by intimidation and extortion, which inevitably negatively affects residents directly, whether it is day-to-day service delivery requests or infrastructure projects as is the case in Uitsig. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">'Currently the City has started to see almost double the number of sewer overflows in Uitsig. Before the project was halted, between March and September 2023, Uitsig experienced 279 overflows. Since October 2023 to date, there were 460 overflows. Despite the challenges, City teams are doing as much as possible to help reduce sewer overflows. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">'In Uitsig, the sewer overflows are both as a result of about 60-year-old aged sewer infrastructure, which desperately requires replacing as well as misuse of the sewer system where residents are flushing or getting rid of items such as rags, newspapers, plastics and building material, causing blocked pipes.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">'With winter approaching, the strain on the sewer network will increase as rain also gets into our sewer network via illegal stormwater-to-sewer connections or sewer drains. We urge residents to help play their part by reducing sewer overflows, especially during the peak rainy months and to be mindful of what is being flushed, poured down drains and sinks and how they dispose of their waste.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">'Let's work together to ensure our sewer network functions as efficiently as possible. Also please report any information you may have related to extortion or safety threats,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Overflows%20in%20Uitsig.jpg" alt="" style="width:1385px;" /></figure></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Report extortion </strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The City has set up a 24-hour hotline to allow residents to anonymously report incidents of intimidation and extortion as a rewards system to encourage residents to help the City and the authorities to tackle extortion.<br></p><p>Anonymous tip-offs are encouraged:</p><ul><li>Phone 24/7: 0800 00 6992</li><li>Email: <a href="mailto:SSIMS.SSIUReporting@capetown.gov.za">SSIMS.SSIUReporting@capetown.gov.za</a> </li></ul>Visit <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/blocked-sewers">www.capetown.gov.za/blocked-sewers</a> for tips on how to help reduce sewer overflows. <br><p><br></p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2024-05-26T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#ce1a8b10-ce34-4131-a97d-7727a702df8e;L0|#0ce1a8b10-ce34-4131-a97d-7727a702df8e|overflowing sewers;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | Media Office, City of Cape Town | 0 |
