Always ask for a reference number

Report all issues to the City of Cape Town

• Online: Create a service request on CCT Service Requests on the City of Cape Town Website

• Call:  0860 103 089

• Email: contact.us@capetown.gov.za

• Twitter: @CityofCT

Steps for successful reporting

1. Contact the City of Cape Town to report the problem.  

2. Stay patient, be polite and always ask for a reference number.

3. Let your neighbourhood group know that you have reported the problem and share the reference number with the group.

4. Keep following up using your reference number. The more you and your neighbours follow up, the more likely it is to get fixed.

Examples of problems you can report

• Road, transport and traffic issues: Faulty traffic lights, broken streetlights, potholes, faded road markings and missing signage, blocked stormwater drains, broken pavements and public transport issues

• Electricity issues: Unplanned electricity outages, broken overhead cables, cable explosions, equipment damage and exposure, broken substations or transformers, faulty meters, faulty streetlights, illegal connections, power phase issues and vandalised or unsecured distribution boxes. 

• Environmental issues: chemical dumping, mismanaged waste from mines and factories, construction material and refuse dumping, litter, factories or businesses causing air pollution, burning trash, sewage leaks, water pollution, pest infestations like rats, cockroaches or termites, alien invasive vegetation and late-night music and other noise that disturbs well-being. 

• Stormwater, flooding, and other water infrastructure issues: flooding, blocked and overflowing sewers/drains, burst water pipes and leaks, missing, damaged water valves or meter covers, sewerage, water outages, fire hydrants leaking and damaged meters.

• Waste disposal issues: Overflowing public bins, illegal dumping, landfill site mismanagement, issues with refuse collection, rubble collection and requests for wheelie bins.

• Parks and recreation issues: Broken park equipment or infrastructure, fallen trees, trees touching pylons, alien invasive vegetation in parks, overgrown grass, neglected gardens, unsafe parks, cemetery maintenance issues, issues with public swimming pools and litter in open areas or rivers. 

• Security and safety concerns: Criminal activities, fire hazards, overgrown grass and broken streetlights that pose a safety risk, broken CCTV cameras, drug-related or alcohol-related disturbances, lack of accountability by the police, corruption in the police service, lack of resources or infrastructure affecting policing in the community.

No Luck Reporting?

So now you are tearing your hair out! If you have tried reporting and you can't get through or your issue has still not been resolved, try contacting your local councillor to help. You can find out who that is here

If you have already contacted your councillor and still not having any luck, it's time to get organised! Click here to find out how.

Photo: International Astronomical Union (IAU), CC Attribution 4.0 International license