Sewage overflows in Town Centre

Blocked sewage drains were cleared two weeks after Town Centre businesses reported the problem.

Sewage was overflowing onto the pavement in the back area of businesses in Rondo Lane on Friday June 7, when the Plainsman spoke to Yaseen Khan, owner of The Spice Centre.

A drain at his back door overflowed with sewage water.

On Tuesday June 4, rain caused the sewage to flood the shop and welcomed workers at the front door.

Mr Khan said they had to dispose of their goods and furniture because the sewage had flowed throughout the shop.

“We had to mop. Buy brooms, mops and detergents. Use more than 20L of detergent to clean the shop. We could not trade. It was a mess,” he said.

He said that they had alerted the City of Cape Town to the blocked drain two weeks ago and twice the wrong department was sent out.

“They sent out roads and stormwater instead of sewage,” he said.

Mr Khan said the shop was more than 40 years old and that he could only recall an overspill in December last year but the flooding last week was the worst.

He said they would further assess the damage but this was a busy week, ahead of Eid ul Adha on Monday June 17.

At the time of publishing, the City said it was looking into the Plainsman’s enquiry and would respond in due course.