Staff member shot, water and sanitation services temporarily withdrawn from Samora Machel
06 April 2021
The City of Cape Town is saddened by the senseless, violent attack on our water and sanitation team, resulting in a staff member being shot, while they were busy repairing a collapsed sewer pipeline in Samora Machel earlier today. As a result of this incident, water and sanitation services relating to service requests have been temporarily withdrawn from this area until further notice and teams will return once it is safe to do so.
The City of Cape Town strongly condemns violent attacks on our water and sanitation staff as well as on our infrastructure as this places innocent lives at risk and interrupts service delivery to communities.
Earlier today, four suspected teenagers robbed a City team of their belongings, such as wallets and cellphones, while they were busy repairing a collapsed sewer in Helen Joseph Street, Samora Machel. The supervisor, who is also the driver, was shot and has been hospitalised after the bullet narrowly missed his spine. He will need to undergo surgery and his condition is being monitored closely.
Other staff members on site were understandably traumatised and taken home, and trauma counselling is available to those who wish to receive it.
‘The City condemns this attack on our staff in the strongest terms possible. It is unconscionable to target staff who are on site going about their public service duties, and the City will do everything in its power to assist the SAPS in its efforts to bring the guilty parties to book. The safety and well-being of staff must be prioritised and as such, teams have been withdrawn from Samora Machel until it is safe for them to return. Sadly, this negatively impacts service delivery to residents.
‘We ask residents to please bear with us as water-related service requests, such as clearing sewer blockages or repairing burst pipes, will unfortunately not be attended to during this time. Residents are assured that every effort is being made to ensure the services resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
‘We encourage anyone who has any information regarding this incident to please report it to the South African Police Service as soon as possible to assist with their investigation. We need the community to be our eyes and ears, as we cannot afford to see such violent attacks impact on service delivery to vulnerable communities hijacked by a few opportunistic criminals,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
Yesterday, the City highlighted the vandalism of water and sewage pump stations, which are key components of the water and sanitation network. Currently, 25 sewage pump stations have been vandalised or impacted by theft and a full cost analysis will be conducted. However, it is estimated that these operating costs, including repairs and the hiring of mobile equipment to minimise sewer overflows, could cost approximately R30 million. More information is available here: https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/City%20condemns%20vandalism%20of%20water%20and%20sanitation%20pump%20stations
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
