Cape Town - Several homes in the Helderberg informal settlement of Nomzamo remain under water following torrential downpours last month.
The community was hit hard by the severe flooding, with more than 20 people forced to flee their home.
Community activist Thulani Nonyati said residents remained in contact with the City, while no solutions had been brought forward yet.
“We have been talking about this for a long time, but nothing has happened.
“The houses are still full of water and it’s people that are working, it's very difficult to explain,” he said.
Many locals have rebuilt their homes, while others have not been as fortunate.
“Our ward councillor doesn’t know about us. She doesn’t know there are people like us. She didn’t even visit here, she didn’t know how people are living,” Nonyati said.
In addition to the homes that were flooded, there was an increase in dumping in some parts of the community and the overflowing of sewage water.
Three years ago, the main attraction was a soccer field, but that is now submerged under water.
Gumboots are also the only footwear that young children from the community can wear.
A community hall is now home to 29 residents whose homes are still under water.
Sinethemba Ntoni described the situation as “very bad”, as they lost most of their possessions as a result of the floods.
Residents sleep on the floor and make their own food, while some visit soup kitchens in the area.
“Even where we are staying we don’t even have privacy because there are a lot of people,” Ntoni said.
The City confirmed that it would look into the matter when it was asked if it was aware of the circumstances in the informal settlement.
“The City is looking into the matter.
“We will provide assistance where feasible,” it said.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za
Cape Argus