Residents of the Sports Park Complex in Sastri Park are once again grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding to their homes this past weekend. This marks the third time their properties have suffered significant damage due to heavy rains, raising concerns about the adequacy of the area’s drainage infrastructure.
The repeated incidents have prompted calls for immediate intervention as residents are urging for a comprehensive assessment of the drainage system and the implementation of effective measures to prevent future flooding, such as the installation of additional manholes, regular maintenance to clear existing blockages, and the construction of improved water diversion channels.
The torrential downpour overwhelmed the complex’s drainage system. According to residents, only one functional manhole was available to channel the deluge, while two others remained clogged and ineffective. Residents said that this insufficiency led to water rapidly accumulating, seeping into properties, and causing extensive property damage.
Tenants, many of whom are renting, expressed their frustration and despair over the recurring nature of these floods. Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, Desire Rajkumar, a tenant in the complex said that due to the extensive rains, her property along with others were flooded with more than a metre of rain, damaging household items such as fridges, sofas and more.
She said: “This has been the third flood we have been through. The manholes in the complex are backed up therefore the water is unable top go in and stands. Cars get damaged due to the flood and we are left to sit in our houses that have been flooded in rain. We have received no assistance from the management of the complex as well. Many tenants have reported that management directed them to communicate via email or WhatsApp, but despite numerous attempts to reach out, our concerns remain unaddressed.”
Rajkumar added that she has had to buy sofas twice in three years due to the rain.
“We are not compensated for any of our belongings. Yet we have to keep buying more and more items as it gets damaged. Imagine having to stay awake for majority of the night in fear of our homes becoming flooded all because the complex management does not want to maintain the complex. This is ridiculous, there are children in this complex and it is not safe,” she said.
Another resident, Annelise Pillay, stated that after countless times of contacting the management she has lost all hope.
She said: “I have been living in this complex for the past three years and in these years we were faced with three floods. All of which resulted in extensive damages to our properties and our belongings. Every time this had happened we contacted the management but not once did they actually do something about the situation. We do understand that these are low cost housing but that does not mean they must not maintain it. What happens if the rains get worse and the manholes are already blocked. How much water must get filled into our homes for the management to realise how bad the situation is.”
As the community begins the arduous process of cleaning up and repairing their homes, the overarching sentiment is one of urgency. Without prompt and effective action, the residents of the Sports Park Complex fear that they will continue to face the devastating consequences of inadequate infrastructure and lack of management support in the face of Durban’s increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
The Management of the Sports Park did not comment at the time of print.
