Councillor Nkosenhle Madlala, the chairperson of the eThekwini Municipality Governance Committee and member of the ANC, said the recent floods in eThekwini has highlighted challenges in some areas of the municipal stormwater drainage system.
Image: Supplied
Following the torrential rainfall over the eThekwini area in the past weeks and months it is alleged that inadequate stormwater drain maintenance could be one of the possible causes of some of the flooding in Durban.
Concerned resident, Dhaya Naidoo, said he had written to the municipality to alert them to he serious issue of blocked stormwater drains and manholes in the Kharwastan suburb, which he believed contributed to repeated flooding.
“In the past, we had dedicated municipal workers who ensured these drains were cleaned and maintained regularly. However, this essential service has been neglected, leading to water stagnation and severe flooding during heavy rains, claimed Naidoo.
Naidoo suggested a full inspection and clearing of blocked stormwater drains and manholes; the reinstatement of regular maintenance schedules and accountability measures to ensure workers are fulfilling their duties.
eThekwini ward 65 councillor Samantha Windvogel said a community meeting was held on February 25, at the Kharwastan Civic Hall to discuss roads and stormwater issues.
Windvogel said the stormwater maintenance department attends to issues promptly.
Quarry Road East resident, Logan Naidu, said businesses are paying high municipal rates, yet they are repeatedly subjected to preventable flooding due to the department's inaction. Naidu said the failure to enforce compliance and hold the municipality accountable is unacceptable.
Naidu’s bone of contention was the ongoing sewage pollution and flooding of Quarry Road East/Alpine Road. Naidu claimed that raw sewage continues to be allegedly pumped into the stormwater drainage system, leading to severe flooding every time it rains. Naidu said this is not a new complaint but a follow-up on an issue that was brought to the municipality's attention two years ago.
“Despite assurances that a compliance order would be issued against the municipality, no meaningful action has been taken, and the problem persists. This ongoing environmental violation poses serious health risks and financial losses to businesses in the area. If an ordinary citizen engaged in such conduct, they would face immediate fines, yet municipal authorities have been allowed to continue unchecked,” Naidu said.
Councillor Nkosenhle Madlala, the chairperson of the eThekwini Municipality Governance Committee and member of the ANC, said the recent floods in eThekwini has highlighted challenges in some areas of the municipal stormwater drainage system.
Madlala said that flooding during heavy rains is primarily influenced by the intensity of the storm, the capacity of drainage infrastructure, and debris obstructing water flow. We continue to urge residents and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly to prevent blockages.
Madlala said the increasing frequency and intensity of floods necessitate a review of infrastructure capacity and risk management.
“Our stormwater drainage is designed to handle a 1-in-10-year storm event at critical points. However, floods in 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023 exceeded the 1-in-100-year mark in some areas, while events in 2024 and early 2025 surpassed 1-in-20 to 1-in-40-year levels,” he said.
To mitigate flood risks, Madlala said the municipality has implemented key measures, including:
Madlala said these interventions are part of the municipality’s broader strategy to climate-proof eThekwini’s infrastructure and safeguard lives and property.
Democratic Alliance eThekwini exco member, Yogis Govender, said the budgets that municipality allocates are a pittance with employment programs used as vehicles and not a strategic task team mapping every river, categorizing high risk and regular inspections.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za
Related Topics: