Sludge stockpiles left along a stormwater canal in Macassar after dredging work have sparked concerns among residents, who fear the material poses health and safety risks.
The sludge piles left along the banks of a stormwater canal in Macassar have ignited fierce outrage among local residents, who are deeply concerned about the potential health and safety risks posed by the material.
In response, the City of Cape Town insists that the stockpiling was necessary to comply with environmental and biodiversity regulations.
The City confirmed that dredging operations in the canal were initiated and completed in June, with the sludge left on-site to dry before being transported to a landfill.
Zahid Badroodien, the mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, stated, “After the work was completed, the dredged material has been temporarily stockpiled on site to allow for adequate dewatering, which is a usual process, as wet sludge cannot be transported to a landfill facility. As such, there is no delay in clearing the dredged material.”
