Heavy rains in Cape Town spark political mudslinging over infrastructure failures
A man carries a child through a drenched, muddy road in Dunoon caused by heavy rainfall over the weekend.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
The major cold front to make landfall over Cape Town has triggered political mudslinging over the cause of widespread disruption across the metro.
Flooding, electricity outages and transport interruptions unfolded as heavy rainfall and strong winds over the weekend caused havoc in various areas.
The City of Cape Town warned that restoration of electricity outages may be delayed due to dangerous working conditions and a surge in service requests.
“Rain and high wind speeds make electrical work dangerous, but City energy teams are attending to the various outages with urgency,” the City said in a notice on Monday.
Severe weather warnings remained in place, including a Level 2 alert for damaging waves along the coast, with risks to small vessels, coastal infrastructure and people near shoreline areas.
Transport services were also affected, with Metrorail Western Cape suspending trains between Muizenberg and Simon’s Town due to severe weather.
Services continued between Muizenberg and Cape Town, with commuters advised to make alternative transport arrangements.
As the impact of the storm spread, competing narratives emerged online over the cause of flooding, particularly in Dunoon.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said on social media: “This is Dunoon, Ward 104 where recently we won a by-election. It’s been raining heavily in Cape Town. One wonders how the DA-led city will respond to the flooding crisis in many working class neighbourhoods. They will probably be silent.”
In response, the City said flooding along Silverleaf Road in Dunoon was linked to illegal structures built over bulk stormwater and sewer outfalls, which it said blocked access for maintenance and caused repeated flooding of nearby properties.
“The City is unable to carry out the necessary work as it cannot locate or get to the infrastructure that needs to be unblocked,” it said, adding that relocation of the structures would be required for a long-term solution.
Political parties also weighed in with criticism of the City’s infrastructure and response.
The National Coloured Congress said residents were facing ongoing sewage and infrastructure failures during heavy rainfall.
“Residents are dealing with recurring sewer overflows, children getting sick and collapsing infrastructure every time it rains. With billions allocated, there must be delivery, not repetition of failure.”
GOOD Party councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli said the situation reflected a recurring pattern.
“Every year, the same cycle repeats itself. Then the rain arrives and the same roads flood, the same areas choke, and the same communities are left stranded.”
The City said localised flooding was expected during sustained heavy rainfall and did not necessarily indicate system failure, particularly in low-lying or high-risk areas.
In a statement on Monday, the City said it had received about 480 flooding-related complaints since Friday, with assessments still under way. It added separately that it was dealing with a high volume of media queries and may not meet the deadline as information still needs to be gathered and approved by officials focused on ongoing operations.
Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Sonica Lategan said additional residential impacts had been reported following the weekend’s cold fronts.
“We have received reports of flooding affecting formal homes in Ocean View and Bellville South, while teams are assessing informal settlements across the metro.
“As assessments are completed, the necessary relief measures will be activated, including humanitarian assistance and coordination with SASSA and the Department of Social Development.”
In Stellenbosch, localised flooding was also reported following the same weather system.
Stellenbosch University spokesperson Martin Viljoen said flooding affected the SU Library, sections of the Neelsie Student Centre and several student residences.
“The academic programme continues as scheduled, while clean-up and restoration activities are underway across affected areas,” Viljoen said.
He said the library was flooded on Sunday after water entered through the main doors and would remain closed on Monday pending assessment.
Around 300 books were damaged, but no injuries were reported and no special collections were affected.
Viljoen added that several residences, including Huis Visser, Huis Marais, Simonsberg and Eendrag, reported water damage, with affected students being assisted, including alternative accommodation where necessary.
Clean-up operations were continuing across campus as assessments of damage remained under way.
The weekend’s disruptions have once again highlighted tensions over infrastructure, service delivery and accountability as the winter rainfall season begins.