R100 000 reward for information on Swartklip Road Pump Station attack
22 August 2025
The City of Cape Town strongly condemns the deliberate vandalism of the Swartklip Road Pump Station in Tafelsig, which has left the facility completely inoperable. Following the disconnection of illegal electricity connections, community members destroyed and stripped millions of rands worth of vital infrastructure. This reckless criminal act now places thousands of Mitchells Plain residents at risk of ongoing sewer overflows, with severe health and environmental impacts for the community.
This attack was a direct act of retaliation against the City's lawful enforcement action to disconnect dangerous illegal electrical connections. These illegal connections were causing pump failures, sewage overflows and creating serious fire hazards that threatened public safety. A comprehensive process was followed which included numerous engagements with the community, local ward councillors and other stakeholders; however, the City had to disconnect these unlawful connections. Residents were given the opportunity to voluntarily remove the connections, failing which the City would proceed with enforcement.
Initial reports received indicate that the security on site was threatened and were forced to evacuate from protecting the pump station. This allowed them access to site to destroy all CCTV connections, all electricity supply needed to operate the pumps. The pumps are now fully inoperable. Unfortunately, they have also reconnected their illegal electricity connections to the City supply. The City is currently in the process of planning to disconnect these reconnections in order to restore the pump station into operation.
As a direct result of this criminal destruction, residents in Mitchells Plain and surrounding areas will now experience sewer overflows, as the pump station is no longer able to pump sewage out of the community. This poses significant environmental and health concerns for all those who depend on the station.
This deliberate act of retaliation undermines the City’s ongoing efforts to ensure reliable sanitation services and protect public health. The City strongly condemns this criminal behaviour, which ultimately affects the neighbouring community of Tafelsig, which the infrastructure is designed to serve.
The City appeals to residents to come forward with any information that may assist in holding those responsible accountable. Anyone with information is urged to call 0800 11 00 77. If the information leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property by the City’s Law Enforcement or Metro Police, you could be eligible for a reward of up to R100 000. The City will not share the identities of informants.
We urge all residents to help protect essential sewer infrastructure, which is the vehicle through which sewage is properly processed from households to waste water treatment facilities. As long as the damaged pump station remains inoperable, sewage overflows are likely to become more frequent and result in costly interventions. The City remains committed to engaging with the community to work towards lawful, sustainable solutions. However, co-operation is imperative to ensure that critical infrastructure is safeguarded.
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Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
