Khayelitsha families relocated at last after weather delays and protests
The City of Cape Town says it moved about 1,000 families from a flood-prone area for their safety
8 May 2026 | By Vincent LaliBrief | Cape Town
𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 & 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥:
Treacherous weather conditions are prevailing throughout the Breede Valley municipal area, characterised by gale-force winds and continuous downpours. The South African Weather Services issued a level 8 and 5 (rainfall and wind respectively) warning for BVM from 10 – 12 May 2026.
As anticipated, these torrential conditions continue to impose devastating risks and adverse impacts such as localised flooding, damage to infrastructure and assets, significant service delivery interruptions, and loss of life. The correspondence seeks to inform and update residents and stakeholders of the following key service areas and municipal responses as we navigate the storms.
𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐞-𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬
The most destructive element of this storm is the ongoing gale-force winds. These conditions have contributed to:
• multiple uprooted trees and scattered debris affecting electrical distribution and road networks,
• damage to government/business/private infrastructure and property, and
• multiple service faults and repair delays throughout the municipal area.
Notwithstanding, our operational service teams remain on high alert and active in the field to ensure that all service faults are appropriately and swiftly attended to. However, we implore on the public’s patience during this period, as the treacherous conditions may contribute to recurring service interruptions. We also encourage residents to remain indoors as the storm passes through.
𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠/𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 & 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞:
The Spokiesdorp Informal settlement in Rawsonville is currently experiencing flooding. Our Disaster Management Team is currently executing emergency evacuations to preserve life.
We’ve also noted requests for humanitarian support within isolated hotspot areas and will respond within our available resource framework and mandate. Emergency shelters have been activated and associated support services notified and mobilised to ensure the safety and maximum convenience of all during this period.
Residents seeking to donate during this time of disaster, are encouraged to deliver items at the BVM Fire & Disaster Centre (1 Roux Road, Worcester). The following items are recommended:
• Non-perishable items,
• Essential hygiene and personal care items, and
• immediate shelter and comfort items
𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲:
The extreme winds coupled with a significant number of uprooted trees, have triggered multiple electrical area faults and individual electrification complaints throughout all municipal towns, affecting the municipal as well as Eskom distribution networks. The current weather conditions are outright dangerous and exacerbating the repair process. Furthermore, recurring faults are highly likely under these weather conditions.
Notwithstanding the above, municipal teams are currently prioritising the repair of all area faults across the municipal distribution network. Thereafter, attention will be directed to individual network-related complaints across the municipal distribution system, including uprooted electrical poles, damaged streetlights, and damaged overhead cables. Please note that area faults affecting De Doorns, Rawsonville, and Touwsrivier are presently being attended to by Eskom.
Residents are reminded that the gale-force winds have significantly damaged electrical infrastructure in certain parts of the municipal area which, coupled with challenging weather conditions, have complicated the restoration operations. We understand the absolute frustration of being without electricity for extended periods of time but reassure residents that all available resources and technical teams have been dispatched to attend to various area and service faults throughout the Breede Valley. Therefore, delays in servicing remains a high likelihood to which we can only implore the public’s patience. The collective goal remains the restoration of a full level of service as soon as practically possible.
𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 & 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫:
To date, all major access roads and routes within and around BVM remains operational. However, the N1 at the Du Toitskloof Lodge has been closed in both directions due to a mud slide. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes. Furthermore, we take note of water pooling and overflowing at certain stormwater inlet and catchpit systems, resulting in flooding of adjacently located properties. In addition, the extreme weather conditions have uprooted trees, overturned trucks and scattered debris and material that are blocking certain driveways, roads and routes.
Therefore, we encourage motorists and pedestrians to avoid commuting as far practically possible. Alternatively, please exercise extreme caution and diligence whilst commuting and using road networks.
𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥:
Refuse removal has been suspended for today and tomorrow (Tuesday, 12 May 2026). The team is in process of determining a revised schedule as a result of the suspension, which will be communicated in due course. At 18h30, we will communicate the revised refuse collection schedule.
𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲:
The abnormally high rainfall and wet conditions in our catchment areas, have resulted in mud slides and rock falls into our catchments and surrounding storage dams. Subsequently, excessive levels of mud, silt and organic residue are present within our dams and will filter through our water network and systems. Until these have settled in the dams, residents may experience discoloured / brown drinking water. Depending on the weather conditions, the aforementioned material usually settle within dams between 14 to 21 days. Residents should rest assured that the drinking water quality is continuously tested and treated to ensure safe human consumption. Our water remains safe to drink. In instances where excessive discoloration is noted, BVM will conduct scouring operations to improve the level of discoloration.
Residents should note that access roads/routes to and from our dams and reservoirs remain slippery and wet, thus we advise against visiting parts of these areas that are permissible for public access. Our water supply and treatment networks, pipelines and systems remain intact and fully operational. Our team remains on high alert to respond to any service interruptions that may occur.
𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞-𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠:
Abnormal and continuous rainfall patterns trigger higher levels of stormwater ingress into our sewer networks, in turn, increasing the risk of sewerage spills particularly in hot spot areas. Our teams continue to monitor the situation and will respond to all service complaints in accordance with our available resource framework. Please ensure that incidents of sewerage spills and/or blockages are reported to the Service Support Centre to be prioritised for servicing.
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
BVM’s Fire & Disaster Management crew has been placed on high alert and fully equipped with all the necessary resources in case of any major incident that can occur this week. Sandbags have been prepared and ready to be dispatched to deter localised flooding. The disaster team on-site is working around the clock monitoring all the flood risk areas throughout the BVM, including rivers and low-water bridges. In case of eventuality, a variety of emergency fleet will be dispatched that includes digger loaders, crew cabs, honey sucker, and a potable water tanker.
𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 – 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Residents should note that all municipal administrative offices will remain closed on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, due to the anticipation of ongoing adverse weather conditions. All essential service teams and associated municipal officials supporting these teams, will remain operational during this period.
Municipal offices and operations will reconvene as normal on Wednesday, 13 May 2026.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
We are currently inundated with multiple service complaints and requests for disaster relief. Our teams are fully committed and working tirelessly to resolve all service matters as swift as possible. We further remain in frequent contact with strategic partners to ensure a swift return of a full level of service throughout all service categories. On this premise, we reiterate our call for public support and patience during this period. With your support, we will successfully navigate this storm and ensure the safety of all.
Please continue to exercise extreme precaution during adverse weather conditions to minimize and avoid damage to infrastructure and loss of life. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant around overhead electrical cables and power lines, particularly those that may have fallen to the ground due to the adverse weather conditions. Residents are strongly warned not to touch, move, play near, or tamper with any electrical cables or infrastructure, as this may result in serious injury or other dangerous situations.
To remain updated and factually informed on this matter, please visit/follow the BVM Facebook page and/or BVM Digital (Our citizen engagement application). Please be reminded of the following important emergency contact details:
• Service Support Centre (only to report service interruptions): 0860 12 12 12
• Emergency Contact Numbers:
o 023 342 2430
o 107 (From a landline) or 112 (From a cell phone)
Issued by the BVM Media & Communications office.
Media enquiries: John Bulani (Snr. Communication Officer) at 023 348 2621 / Cell: 061 499 3353 / jbulani@bvm.gov.za
Hannelie Botha (Support Officer: Electronic Media) at 023 348 2806 / Cell: 061 499 3353 / hbotha@bvm.gov.za
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Severe Storms Disrupt Services Across Breede Valley
Residents across the Breede Valley Municipality are being urged to remain indoors and exercise extreme caution as severe weather conditions continue to batter the region.
The municipality confirmed that gale-force winds and heavy rainfall have caused widespread damage, flooding, power outages and major service disruptions since the South African Weather Service issued level 8 and level 5 warnings for rainfall and wind from 10 to 12 May 2026.
Emergency teams have been placed on high alert as strong winds uprooted trees, damaged infrastructure and disrupted electricity supply in several towns, including Rawsonville, De Doorns and Touws River. Municipal teams and Eskom technicians are currently working to restore power, although officials warned that recurring faults and delays remain likely due to dangerous weather conditions.
Flooding has also affected the Spokiesdorp informal settlement in Rawsonville, where disaster management teams have been conducting emergency evacuations to protect residents. Emergency shelters have been activated, while humanitarian support is being coordinated for affected communities.
Motorists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel after the N1 near Du Toitskloof Lodge was closed in both directions following a mudslide. Several roads have also been obstructed by fallen trees, overturned trucks and debris.
The municipality further announced that refuse removal services have been suspended until Tuesday, 12 May, while all municipal administrative offices will remain closed due to safety concerns. Essential services, however, will continue operating.
Residents may also notice brown or discoloured tap water caused by mud and silt entering catchment dams after heavy rainfall. The municipality assured the public that water remains safe for consumption as testing and treatment continue.
Officials appealed to residents to stay away from fallen power lines and electrical infrastructure and to report emergencies through the municipal service support and disaster management lines.
