A Newlands East resident is at her wits’ end after repeated attempts to get help from the municipality to resolve a dangerous and ongoing landslide issue have failed, despite the matter being escalated through the proper channels.
The homeowner, who lives at 36 Escolar Place in Newdawn Park, first experienced the land shifting behind her property during the April 2021 floods. A section of land beyond her boundary line collapsed, damaging critical infrastructure on her property, including sewer and stormwater pipes. While her insurance initially covered the cost of repairs and reconnections, the land has continued to slide with each heavy rainfall, dislodging the same infrastructure once again.
Raw sewage now flows into the land behind the house, creating not only an environmental hazard but a serious health risk. The situation has also compromised the municipality’s main sewer line, which has shifted due to the unstable ground. “The land outside our boundary is not our responsibility, but we are suffering the consequences,” she said.
Despite reporting the matter to municipal departments on several occasions, the resident says she has had no joy. Ward councillor Alan Pietersen has also intervened and attempted to escalate the issue. “Councillor Pietersen wrote to the office of the municipal manager, hoping to get some action taken, but to date, nothing has been done,” the resident shared.
Adding to the frustration, a team of municipal workers was seen on-site several months ago, digging behind the property with spades and picks. However, instead of helping, the digging reportedly made matters worse by further destabilising the already fragile land. “It felt like a show of effort, but it had no real impact—if anything, it worsened the landsliding,” the resident said.
The damage has now begun to impact surrounding homes. One neighbour was forced to fill his yard with rubble after the landslide caused the foundation of his house to become exposed due to the loss of soil. “It’s not just us anymore. The whole stretch is under threat, and no one is taking responsibility,” the resident added.
To make matters worse, the family’s insurance provider has now refused to cover any more repairs, citing the ongoing landslide as a natural hazard that falls outside the scope of their policy. With no support from the municipality, no relief from insurers, and no solution in sight, the residents of Escolar Place are left to face a growing crisis on their own.
“The municipality cannot continue to ignore this. We’ve done all we can—it’s time they do their part before more damage is done and more lives are disrupted,” she pleaded.
Wards 11 councillor, Allan Peterson was contacted for comments and also to find out what steps he has taken to escalate the matter.
Both the councillor and eThekwini Municpality had not responded to our request for feedback at the time of going to print.
