Residential water and sanitation services

City visits Macassar to assess streetlight vandalism and interventions

Macassar forms part of the City of Cape Town’s streetlight infrastructure maintenance and upgrading programme aimed at ensuring that infrastructure is repaired, maintained and upgraded where necessary.

Macassar forms part of the City of Cape Town’s streetlight infrastructure maintenance and upgrading programme aimed at ensuring that infrastructure is repaired, maintained and upgraded where necessary.‘Our teams remain active on the ground in all communities across the city, maintaining our extensive public lighting network of more than 245 000 streetlights. My visit to Macassar forms part of our focused efforts to oversee public infrastructure maintenance, ensuring all communities remain well lit. In addition, we are closely monitoring our City-wide streetlight burn rate, which currently sits at 87,7% according to our most recent data, just shy of our 90% target <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_7868.jpg" alt="" style="width:978px;" /></figure>Theft, vandalism and illegal connections remain the City’s most significant challenge. Although Macassar falls within an Eskom supply area, limiting the City’s Blue Downs Depot to only public lighting service requests, vandalism in this district alone has already cost the City more than R1,9 million from over 2810 logged public service requests, crucial funds that could otherwise have supported critical energy infrastructure needed to drive Cape Town’s economy.‘During our visit to the area, we saw instances of extreme vandalism where concrete streetlight poles were chopped in half for their cables. Macassar is one of the areas which sees repeated incidents of theft and vandalism, which places strain on our resources and delays service restoration.‘We are prioritising repair and maintenance work in the area, in addition to LED upgrades within the broader district. The City is also exploring high-tech infrastructure protection solutions to take back our infrastructure from vandals who seek to steal and destroy our infrastructure. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_7826.jpg" alt="" style="width:965px;" /></figure>‘While our Energy Safety teams and City Law Enforcement officials continue to maintain visibility in hotspot areas, we call on residents to be our eyes and ears and to assist us in protecting our power infrastructure. Reporting vandalism and illegal activities helps us to respond faster and ensures that residents and all communities benefit from reliable electricity services,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg. Protect Your Power Campaign to tackle R62 million vandalism, theft crisis The City spent approximately R62 million in the past financial year on maintenance and replacement of vandalised or stolen electricity infrastructure. Protect Your Power is a first-of-a-kind campaign, which highlights the massive impact of vandalism, theft, and illegal connections that leave our communities, neighbourhoods, and roadways in the dark. The City is calling on all residents to help us Protect Your Power and build safer, brighter communities by reporting any suspicious activity anonymously to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC). <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_7880.jpg" alt="" style="width:975px;" /> </figure> Let’s ACT: Protect Your Power ܆ Report anonymously to: Public Emergency Communication Centre: 021 480 7700 ܆ ‘Copperheads’: 0800 222 771 (toll free, 24/7, anonymous tip-offs) ܆ Report any abnormal-looking power infrastructure, like open substations or electricity boxes, hanging wires.The SAPS remains the lead authority in crime prevention. Caption: The Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg (third from right) with the Ward Councillor, Peter Helfrich (left) and the City’s Energy team

2026-03-11T22:00:00Z

City terminates all contracts with a business following attempted bribery of City Manager

The City of Cape Town has taken decisive action to terminate all contracts held by a contractor, Triple C Maintenance and Services

The City of Cape Town has taken decisive action to terminate all contracts held by a contractor, Triple C Maintenance and Services, after the owner of the business allegedly attempted to bribe the City Manager.This follows a joint investigation involving the City’s Ethics and Forensics Department and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Acting as an authorised agent in terms of the relevant legal provisions, the City Manager worked with SAPS in a controlled operation that resulted in the arrest of the owner of the business.In light of these developments, the City moved immediately to terminate all contracts held by Triple C with the municipality. These contracts are mostly construction-related, and include road maintenance, resurfacing and stormwater infrastructure.The decision to terminate was made in the context of an ongoing investigation by the City’s Ethics and Forensics Department and the SAPS.The City emphasises that corruption will not be tolerated in any form and that any attempts to improperly influence municipal officials will be met with firm and decisive action.Service Delivery ContinuityAlternative arrangements have been put in place to maintain continuity of services while the City proceeds with the necessary processes to replace the affected contracts and/or switch over to duly appointed standby suppliers.The City remains committed to ensuring that municipal services continue while upholding strict ethical standards in all of its operations.End

2026-03-11T22:00:00Z

Update on major infrastructure investment in Strand and Helderberg

Across Strand and the broader Helderberg, several multi-million rand sewer, wastewater treatment and flood alleviation infrastructure projects are under way to strengthen resilience

The public meeting, held on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, formed part of the City’s ongoing commitment to transparency and proactive communication around bulk sewer upgrades, wastewater treatment capacity, and flood alleviation projects. ‘We remain committed to open dialogue with our residents. These engagements are valuable in ensuring that communities are informed, have their views heard, and are able to track progress on the significant investments being made in their areas. ‘Across Strand and the broader Helderberg, several multi-million rand sewer, wastewater treatment and flood alleviation infrastructure projects are under way to strengthen resilience, improve service reliability and safeguard our natural environment for future generations,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien. Trappies Bulk Sewer Rehabilitation (estimated at R190 million)The aim of this project is to extend the lifespan of the 50-year-old pipeline by another 50+ years and restore its structural integrity to prevent future collapses. Works Project 1, covering the section between Main Road and Church Street along De Villiers Street, has been completed. A total of 360m of the 900mm diameter sewer was successfully rehabilitated. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Update%20on%20major%20infrastructure%20investment%20in%20Strand%20and%20Helderberg%202.jpg" alt="" /> </figure> Works Project 2, which covers the remaining section of De Villiers Street up to Joubert Street, is currently under way and due for completion in May 2026. To date:<ul><li>166m has been lined, representing 50% completion of the lining scope</li><li>Lining along De Villiers Street is now complete</li><li>The contractor is preparing to complete the remaining 50% of lining by the end of April 2026</li></ul>Works Project 3 started in February 2026 and will address the Lourens River crossing. Once this critical component is completed, the contractor will return to complete works along Joubert Street.Currently, 530m of the total 2 300m of bulk sewer has been rehabilitated. Project completion is scheduled for November 2027. Operational response to sewer collapses Feedback was provided on recent sewer collapses involving 300mm diameter sewer mains in Joubert Street and surrounding areas. Repairs have been completed at:<ul><li>22 Joubert Street</li><li>32 Joubert Street (two collapses)</li><li>78 Joubert Street</li><li>Corner of Munnik and Joubert Streets</li></ul>Proactive cleaning, root removal, sand trap maintenance and jetting form part of the City’s summer readiness programme to reduce blockages and overflows. Residents were also reminded that foreign objects such as rags and stones significantly contribute to sewer blockages. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Update%20on%20major%20infrastructure%20investment%20in%20Strand%20and%20Helderberg%203.jpg" alt="" /> </figure> Capital sewer rehabilitation in Strand (R23,6 million)In addition to the Trappies project, several capital rehabilitation projects have been awarded in Strand. Works Project 1:<ul><li>1 251m of 150mm pipe and 1 768m of 300mm pipe </li><li>Total: 3 019m</li><li>Project value: R6,4 million</li></ul>Works Project 2:<ul><li>3 328m of 150mm pipe to be replaced</li><li>Project value: R5,9 million</li></ul>Works Project 3:<ul><li>3 127m of 150mm pipe to be replaced</li><li>Project value: R5,6 million</li></ul>Works Project 4:<ul><li>1 833m of 150mm pipe</li><li>765m of 200mm pipe</li><li>552m of 300mm pipe</li><li>Total: 3 150m</li><li>Project value: R5,7 million</li></ul>These upgrades will strengthen the local sewer network and improve service reliability across affected streets including Joubert, Enslin, Brand, Munnik, Herschell, Grey, Union, Brand, Marais, Fagan, Lochner, Woltemade, Olivier, Steyn, Pretorius, Cradock, Donkin, Morkel, Townsend, De Villiers, Gladstone, Wade Street, De Ruyter Drive and Van Der Stel Road, Wilberforce, Dundas and Main Road. Planned sewer rehabilitation in Helderberg (R14,9 million)Two projects planned in the broader Helderberg region, are subject to contractor acceptance and dependent on the availability of sufficient capacity to do the works: Geelsloot Project (Watersmeet, Stella, Aberdeen, Nassau, Dummer, Preller, Irene, Pinecroft Streets and Jakaranda Road)<ul><li>3 323,4m of sewer pipe replacement across multiple pipe sizes</li><li>Project value: R7,59 million</li></ul>Heldervue Project (Steyn, Pretorius, Cradock, Donkin, Morkel, Townsend, De Villiers, Gladstone and Wade Streets as well as Dundas Road and Main Road)<ul><li>3 371m of 150mm sewer replacement</li><li>Project value: R7,39 million</li></ul>Gordon’s Bay Pump Station and Rising Main (R277,3 million)Upgrading the pump station and rising main is aimed at relieving pressure from the Trappies Sewer, by diverting flows into the Sir Lowry’s Pass Outfall Sewer. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Update%20on%20major%20infrastructure%20investment%20in%20Strand%20and%20Helderberg%201.jpg" alt="" /> </figure> Construction started in March 2024 and is currently 80% complete, with commissioning anticipated in June 2026.Project milestones include:<ul><li>6 476m of the 7 503m rising main installed</li><li>All seven micro-tunnelling crossings completed</li><li>Pump station structural works 73% complete</li><li>Discharge chamber 78% complete</li><li>Air valve construction 56% complete</li></ul>Road reinstatement is progressing in Drostdy Road, Bosduif/Sercor Road and surrounding areas, with final reinstatement works scheduled through to May 2026. Major upgrade of Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works (R4,7 billion)Completion of upgrades at the Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works is planned for 2031. The upgrade will increase treatment capacity from 34 million litres per day (Ml/d) to 80 Ml/d to accommodate future growth over the next 20 years, improve effluent quality compliance, promote effluent reuse opportunities, and enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. The project scope includes new inlet works, biological nutrient removal reactors, secondary settling tanks, UV and chlorine disinfection, sludge digestion facilities, combined heat and power installation, and refurbishment of maturation ponds. The Civil construction works started in October 2025, with the Mechanical/Electrical installations scheduled for early 2027. The upgrade will improve effluent quality discharged into the Eerste River and support long-term environmental compliance and water reuse opportunities.Lourens River Flood Alleviation (R44,5 million)Phase 1J of this project is 91% complete, with final completion anticipated on 1 August 2026. Work restarted on 27 January 2026 following previous delays. Key successes include:<ul><li>Completing major bridge openings to increase hydraulic capacity</li><li>Constructing gabion-reinforced flood levees</li><li>Erosion protection along vulnerable riverbanks</li><li>Extensive flood plain enhancements and replanting of Victoria Park</li><li>Commissioning of De Ruyter Pump Station</li></ul>The project aims to contain the 1-in-100-year floodplain and reduce flood risk in Strand North. Sir Lowry’s Pass River Upgrade (R336,2 million) Currently 70% complete, construction work began in January 2023, with final completion anticipated in June 2027. Progress to date includes:<ul><li>Diversion Channel 62% complete</li><li>Eastern Channel 59% complete</li><li>Western Channel 24% complete</li><li>Drop Structure C 98% complete</li><li>Transition Structure 92% complete</li></ul>This project will not only contain the 1-in-100-year floodline and enhance ecological resilience, it will also unlock land for future development opportunities. Ongoing engagementThe City thanks residents for their continued participation and constructive input during these public meetings. Residents are encouraged to report sewer blockages, missing drain covers, vandalism or leaks via:<ul><li>WhatsApp: 060 018 1505</li><li>Online <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests">www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests</a></li><li>SMS 31373 (maximum 160 characters. Standard rates apply)</li><li>Call 0860 103 089</li><li>Email <a href="mailto:water@capetown.gov.za">water@capetown.gov.za</a></li><li>Visit City walk-in centre (Head to the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/facilities">City's website</a> to find the one closest to you)</li></ul> Caption 1: Progress continues on the Trappies Bulk Sewer Rehabilitation project in Strand, where sections of the ageing 900mm sewer pipeline are being structurally lined to extend its lifespan by more than 50 years and prevent future collapses.Caption 2: Construction progress at the Gordon’s Bay Pump Station, a key component of the R277 million regional infrastructure project that will divert flows from the Trappies Sewer into the Sir Lowry’s Pass Outfall Sewer to improve network resilience.Caption 3: Installation of the rising main pipeline forms part of the Gordon’s Bay Pump Station project, with more than 6km of the 7,5km pipeline already installed to support improved wastewater conveyance in the Helderberg region.

2026-03-11T22:00:00Z

Apply now for City indigent and pensioner support

Help is available and we encourage indigent residents and pensioners to apply for support with service and rates costs

‘Help is available and we encourage indigent residents and pensioners to apply for support with service and rates costs. The qualifying threshold for pensioners and social grant recipients has been expanded to enable even more residents to benefit from the Lifeline tariff and rates rebates, with the qualifying limit now increased to a monthly income of R27 000. The City also increased the social support package to R5,1 billion in total for rates and services relief for 2025/26. These households could access free basic services and qualify for a 100% discount on their property rates. ‘Importantly, we remind our pensioners that as it is a General Valuation (GV2025) year, they will need to reapply for any existing benefits after 1 July 2026, the start of the new financial year. They need not wait until July and may apply before then; the sooner the better. ‘Officials at the City’s Customer Interaction Centres are ready to help. The City urges all residents to find out about the forms of support available. We are committed to assisting those in need of help,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi. How to apply: Completed application forms can be submitted via one of the below channels:<ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">In person by submitting your application at any of our Customer Interaction Centres</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Online application via the e-Services registration process</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Via email by emailing your application to: <a href="mailto:Rates.Rebate@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Rates.Rebate@capetown.gov.za</a> or <a href="mailto:Indigent.Relief@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Indigent.Relief@capetown.gov.za</a> </div></li></ul> For more information on the City’s payment and support options, please visit: <a href="https://bit.ly/CCT_PaymentSupport" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/CCT_PaymentSupport</a> Municipal account payment services are available online via the City’s eServices, by using the QR code on your account statement or making payments via EFT. You can also pay your accounts at Shoprite, Checkers, USave, Pick n Pay, PEP, Ackermans, Lewis, Top It Up, Woolworths, selected Spar stores and Nedbank branches.

2026-03-11T22:00:00Z

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