Flooding fears are among the concerns that many residents, particularly motorists, have during the rainy season, as continuous rains and more wet weather are forecast for December, fuelling memories of past disruptions.

Despite the Tshwane Metro’s preventative measures, low-lying areas remain extremely vulnerable, leaving locals anxious about repeat flooding during the peak holiday period.

For Skhumbuzo Mabuza, a resident of Clubview, the worry is all too familiar.

He told Rekord that each year he drives past the low-lying bridge at the intersection of End, John Voster, and Rabie streets when visiting his parents over Christmas.

“Every December, that area floods, and it’s almost like clockwork. Last year, the water was so high that the road was damaged and had to be closed completely,” he said.

He explained that he had to turn back and take a long detour, which was frustrating because it added hours to a trip that normally takes only a few minutes.

“This isn’t a new problem either. I remember a couple of years ago, a car got stuck there because of the floods. People were stranded, and emergency services had to come and pull the vehicle out.”

Mabuza said it’s worrying because these low-lying areas never seem to improve, no matter how much the metro says it has done.

Iseloné van Tonder, who lives in Zwartkop, raised concerns about flash floods along Lenchen Avenue in Centurion.

“Lenchen Avenue floods so quickly whenever there’s heavy rain, and during the festive season it becomes a real challenge,” she said.

“The streets are always packed with cars because everyone is rushing, shopping, visiting family or getting to functions.”

She noted that some drivers don’t slow down when it rains, and floodwaters can rise so fast that it’s difficult to judge which parts of the road are safe.

“Sometimes you’d see drivers stopping in the middle of the road because they didn’t know how deep the water was. It’s nerve-wracking, and I’ve even considered avoiding the route entirely during heavy rains, but it’s difficult because it’s one of the main routes I use to get around the area.”

Van Tonder added that driving under those conditions feels unbearable and stressful, especially when travelling with children or elderly passengers in the car.

The metro said it has long anticipated these challenges.

MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, explained back in October that the city had implemented careful planning and proactive measures along the Hennops River and Centurion Lake catchment areas.

“Following the severe flooding incident that affected the Centurion Hotel in December 2019, we have been working tirelessly to ensure such events are prevented in the future,” said Morodi at the time.

She explained that central to these efforts has been the Hennops River/Centurion Lake Rehabilitation Task Team, which developed and implemented a plan to remove the silt that had built up in the lake to mitigate future flooding risks.

“Since September 2021, truckloads of silt and sand have been removed from Centurion Lake. This critical intervention has successfully prevented further flooding within the lake itself.”

Despite these efforts, Morodi acknowledged that flooding continues to occur both up- and downstream, largely due to debris blockages at low-lying bridges along the Hennops River.

“Large trees, reeds, and accumulated waste have caused repeated blockages, which points to the urgent need for a comprehensive riverine management approach that goes beyond desiltation alone,” she explained.

In response, the task team expanded its focus in 2024 to include riverine management in partnership with private property developments along the river.

Morodi noted that estates such as the Irene Country Club, Centurion Golf Estate, and River Falls Office Park have contributed by funding riverine management on their properties, while the metro provides technical guidance and environmental oversight.

“To date, 128 trees have been removed at Irene Country Club and 248 at Centurion Golf Estate, with the majority being alien or high-risk species identified for removal in line with the city’s environmental by-laws.”

She emphasised that seasonal flooding remains a challenge at low-lying bridges, with the last major flood recorded in February 2022.

“Most incidents since then have been caused by debris accumulation, reinforcing the need for sustained riverine maintenance,” she said.

To bolster the city’s response to flooding along the Hennops River, Morodi said the metro, under her political oversight, will work closely with the MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, to enhance co-ordination on riverine management and environmental compliance.

“As we recognise that some blockages and pollution originate upstream from neighbouring municipalities, the municipality will engage through the intergovernmental relations framework with the cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.”

Morodi stated that this collaborative approach will ensure sustainable and co-ordinated efforts to maintain clean and functional river systems across municipal boundaries.

“Ahead of the rainy season, Region 4 (Southern) will intensify monitoring and cleaning of key low-lying bridges following heavy rainfall events to prevent damage and protect public safety,” she added.

Bridges earmarked for increased attention include those on M18 Irene, Nellmapius Road, West Street, Lenchen South Avenue, Lenchen North Avenue, End Street, Witstinkhout Street, Blackwood Street, and Lyttelton Avenue.

Morodi praised the ongoing efforts of all departments, private stakeholders, and community partners contributing to this critical work.

“Through collaboration and consistency, Tshwane is building a more resilient and environmentally sustainable region.”

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