Residents of the informal settlement of Dunoon are facing severe flooding amid concerns that a nearby dam may have collapsed following days of relentless rainfall. The situation has escalated since Tuesday, with water levels rising rapidly and causing extensive damage to homes.
Homes Submerged, Lives Disrupted
Local authorities and residents report that over 150 houses have already been affected, with floodwaters breaking through concrete floors and cracking walls. Thando, the caretaker of Ward 104 in Dunoon, described the devastation:
“Some houses have had to break through their floors to create channels for the water to flow. Others at the base have cracked open, with water streaming through. The damage is severe.”
The flooding has also disrupted daily life, with children unable to reach school due to submerged pathways. Thando and local taxi associations stepped in to transport stranded students and workers.
Disputed Responsibility for the Quarry-Dam
The flooding stems from an overflowing quarry, which some residents refer to as a dam. The City of Cape Town claims the quarry is owned by the national Department of Mineral Resources, while some officials have suggested it should be decommissioned.
Thando expressed frustration over the lack of action:
“The city says it’s not theirs, the national government says it’s not theirs—someone needs to take ownership. In the meantime, we need sandbags and proper drainage to prevent further damage.”
Calls for Immediate Intervention
With more rain expected, temporary solutions like sandbags and milling (a method to redirect water) have been proposed. However, long-term measures remain uncertain. The City of Cape Town has stated that servicing the quarry is difficult due to surrounding informal settlements, suggesting residents may need to elevate their homes or relocate.
As Dunoon residents brace for more storms, the demand for urgent government intervention grows louder. For now, the community remains at the mercy of the weather—and bureaucratic delays.
