Lotus River residents struggle with leaks and health risks in their flats
Linden Court residents say ongoing leaks and other structural issues are severely affecting their living conditions and posing serious health hazards.
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Residents in Lotus River say they have been living with persistent leaks, mould, and structural damage in their flats for years, with no lasting repairs despite repeated complaints to the City of Cape Town.
Community members say the situation has left homes increasingly unsafe and unhealthy, especially as winter approaches and heavy rain raises fears of further damage.
Lotus River community leader Nadia Williams said residents have been raising concerns with the City since last year, but the problems remain unresolved and continue to affect daily living conditions.
Williams said the flats have become unsafe and unsuitable for families still living there.
Sally Roman said they are struggling with mould caused by ongoing water leaks.
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“We are struggling with a leaking bathroom, a broken glass pane above the front door, mouldy ceilings, and rusted window frames and handles that are difficult to open, among other issues,” said Williams.
Residents say that although multiple service requests have been logged, little has changed on the ground, and some repairs are repeatedly delayed.
Sally Roman, from Linden Court, said she and her family have lived with constant complaints since moving into the flats eight years ago.
Zuleiga Jaftha said multiple areas in her home are affected by leaks, including damage to her bathroom ceiling.
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The Lotus River rental flats, including Linden Court, are between 50 and 56 years old, say residents.
Roman said that water damage inside the unit has become part of daily life.
“The leakage in the bathroom is so severe that we must put buckets to catch the water,” she said.
Roman said four people live in her household and that the conditions are also affecting their health.
Another resident, Zuleiga Jaftha, said multiple areas in her home are affected by leaks and broken fittings, making everyday living difficult.
“We have a leakage in the roof in the kitchen and in the bathroom, and a room window that we can't open because the hinge on the outside was worn out and broke,” she said.
Jaftha said six people live in her household, including children and elderly family members, and several suffer from chronic health conditions.
She added that repeated complaints have been lodged over several months, but repairs have not followed.
“We have laid several complaints, and the recent ones were in February and in March this year,” she said.
According to responses from councillor Donovan Nelson (Ward 65), longer-term infrastructure solutions are being considered, including replacing plumbing lines and installing them externally, as well as a window replacement programme.
Nelson has indicated that work on some blocks is only expected in the 2027/2028 financial year, as other projects are still being completed.
Officials also noted that engagement meetings with residents are planned in the coming weeks as staircase replacement work is expected to begin in certain courts.
However, residents say partial repairs are not enough, pointing to worsening structural issues in the buildings, including deteriorating staircases.
They argue that while some work is planned, urgent concerns such as roofs, windows, and water damage remain unresolved.
Williams said: “ 'This is a danger to residents,' one complaint read. The stairs are in such poor condition that they are beginning to fall apart. While we understand that repairs are planned, the concern is that only partial work is being done. What about the roofs and windows? Why carry out a halfway project when a complete, lasting solution is needed?”