The Directorate has spent about R914 252 on replacing more than 3 625 sewer drain manhole covers across Cape Town between July 2022 and May 2023. This figure has decreased compared to the 5 583 manhole covers reported missing or stolen in the 2021/2022 financial year.

'Unfortunately, sewer drain covers are often stolen or broken, putting our roads and residents at risk. The combined impact of rain that enters the sewer pipes via open drains or illegal stormwater to sewer connections, plus illegal dumping into the pipes which causes blockages, all contribute to sewer overflows. This is because waste that gets into the system, via flushing or pouring down drains and sinks, already reduces the capacity of the sewer pipes to convey wastewater and damages infrastructure like pump stations, resulting in overflows and flooding.

'These open drains also pose a massive safety risk to road users and pedestrians, especially when heavy rains have filled the holes and they can't be seen. This requires the City to spend millions of rand to replace missing manhole covers throughout Cape Town. We need your help to stop this. Please also report missing and broken sewer drain covers to the City so they can be replaced,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien

Report theft/vandalism to be eligible for a reward

Various City efforts are under way to help address theft and vandalism and its impact. This includes offering a reward up to R5 000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspected manhole cover thief or recovery of City property.

Provide information on the whereabouts of stolen property or a suspected offender, by calling 0800 11 00 77.

If your confidential information leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property by the City's Law Enforcement or Metro Police, you can get a reward of up to R5 000.