Hundreds of shacks flood in Cape Town downpours

About 700 homes have been affected according to the City’s Disaster Risk Management as more flooding is expected in the coming days.

Homes were flooded in Philippi after the heavy rains. Photos: Velani Ludidi / GroundUp

Heavy rainfall this week has caused flooding in informal settlements across Cape Town. About 700 homes have been affected according to the City’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell. However, no evacuations have taken place. Plastic sheeting was issued to fix leaking roofs.

Flooding occurred in Langa, Philippi, Gugulethu, Imizamo Yethu, and in Makhaza, K, SST, and BM Section of Khayelitsha.

This home in Philippi was abandoned after it flooded

In Philippi’s Brown Farm, Nokubonga Mali, who collects metal and cardboard, braced the cold and wet to make her way to the scrapyard. “I am not working, and my two children will go to bed on an empty stomach if I do not go to the scrapyard.”

But Mongami Gushu in Marikana, Philippi, showed GroundUp an abandoned home. “They have a family close by. They left due to the flooding,” Gushu explained.

Athenkosi Mbewu collects sand to create a flood barrier for his home

Trucks delivered sand and gravel for flooded roads. People used the sand to create barriers to keep their homes from flooding.

Resident Lulekwa Hlekiwe said, “Before the elections, you journalists came with them [the politicians], but today you come alone. Maybe we should have voted for you [journalists] because you do come back!”

A resident tries to restore electricity after the power tripped in the rain

GroundUp found a man working on illegal electricity connections. Asked why he was risking his life in the wet and without safety boots or gloves, he replied: “I will not sleep in darkness when I have both my hands and can fix this.”

Residents used car tyres as stepping stones to access toilets in Marikana

On Wednesday night, Powell said officials had completed assessments in informal settlements in Khayelitsha, Strand, Gugulethu and Crossroads. More flooding is expected in the coming days.