The Zandvlei is clogged with algae which covers the vlei like a thick mat, suffocating the aquatic and plant life below. And as it grows by photosynthesis, the hotter the weather becomes, the thicker the mat of algae.

The weedharvester helps to clear some of the algae. It also helps to aerate the water. However, the current weedharvester, which is about 35 years old and due for replacement, has been out of action for most of the past year because of maintenance issues, and  is currently unable to be put to work because it lacks a marine safety certificate.

There are rumours that the new weedharvester, the delivery of which was promised for December 2021,or January 2021, may now only arrive in July next year.

In a sub-council meeting in March 2019, it was agreed that a contingency plan would be offered should the weedharvester be unable to operate. But there has been no sign of any such contingency being put into action.

Meanwhile last week there was yet another major sewage leak into the vlei.

What is the City of Cape Town doing to address this crisis?

Where are the contingency plans to deal with this environmental emergency?