Winter rain delays Southfield Canal repair

07 August 2025

Repair work on two sections of the Southfield Canal was initiated by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate in June 2025 and has since been suspended due to inclement weather. The work is scheduled to resume in October 2025, once conditions are safer and more conducive.

The City’s Catchment, Stormwater and River Management Branch initiated the R3,6 million repair project after sections of the canal wall collapsed during heavy rainfall in July 2024 at Prince Charles Road and Dirkie Uys Street. These repairs are critical to prevent further erosion and embankment failure, which pose a risk to nearby properties and infrastructure.

Situated in the Zeekoe Catchment between Southfield, Retreat and Grassy Park; the Southfield Canal is a vital watercourse, serving as the main inlet to the Princess Vlei waterbody. It drains an area of approximately 800 hectares and plays an important role in maintaining water flow to the vlei.

Since work began, several challenges have impacted the project. Limited access between adjacent properties has restricted the movement of machinery and materials, while persistently high water levels within the canal have hindered excavation and construction activities.

‘We understand the inconvenience this delay may cause and appreciate the patience of our residents. I want to assure the community that work will resume as soon as the weather permits in October,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

Adverse weather such as continuous heavy rainfall and strong winds further disrupted the schedule, creating hazardous conditions on-site and increasing water levels in the canal. These factors made it unsafe to proceed with the necessary excavation, repair and reinforcement work.

To mitigate the risk of further erosion during the remainder of the rainy season, the City has implemented interim flood protection measures. These include the placement of sandbags along the exposed embankments to safeguard adjacent properties until full construction can resume.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office