CITY FACES BACKLASH OVER SINKHOLE CRISIS

Khayelitsha families forced to evacuate their homes

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

WHILE the City faces criticism for not repairing damage caused by sinkholes due to a collapsed sewer system in Khayelitsha SST section of Town Two, it hit back, stating residents were warned not to build their homes on existing municipal infrastructure.

The local ward councillor said officials were afraid to visit the site after an attempted robbery.

Three homes in the area have since been affected, with families being forced to evacuate. The collapsing sewer pipe issue began last year, and one of the residents reportedly fell inside one of the holes.

In a statement issued, Roscoe Palm, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor, criticised the city's failure to repair the damage, claiming there were at least eight incidents reported.

"The City of Cape Town must immediately deploy emergency engineering teams to stabilise the affected area. A caring City would also provide safe, temporary accommodation for all displaced and at-risk families. An investigation must be launched to determine whether this phenomenon threatens more homes and lives," he said.