40 tonnes of vullis in Manenberg's sewage system
City warns residents not to flush nappies, pads and wet wipes
Some of the 40 tonnes of debris, including nappies and wet wipes, that were removed from Manenberg’s sewer line.
Image: Supplied
OVER 40 tonnes of morsige vullis has been pulled out Manenberg's sewer system in the last two months.
According to the City of Cape Town, the vrag waste included sanitary towels, nappies and wet wipes - enough waste to threaten a collapse of the network and failure of a major pump station.
The massive clean-up formed part of a “bucketing” exercise carried out by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate during July and August 2025 on a bulk sewer line in Surrey Estate. The line runs from Manenberg to the Bridgetown pump station in Athlone.
According to the City, 40 060 kg of solid waste was removed.
Water and Sanitation MCC Zahid Badroodien said: “Had this massive build-up not been removed, it could have caused a major sewer blockage and pump station failure, spilling raw sewage into the surrounding community and posing serious health and environmental risks.
“Rags and fabric should go in the regular waste bin, not down the toilet. These items don’t break down like toilet paper and severely damage our sewer infrastructure.
Every time a nappy or wet wipe is flushed, it increases the risk of blockages and overflows that threaten your neighbour’s health and our environment.”
The City spent R624 110 on the two-month operation, which also included proactive cleaning further up the line in Manenberg.
The City urged residents to play their part by using waste bins and drop-off facilities instead of drains and toilets, and by reporting sewer blockages, overflows and vandalism through official channels.