A mysterious humming sound continues to baffle residents across Cape Town’s northern suburbs, with authorities yet to identify its source despite dozens of complaints and several investigations.
The low-frequency hum has been reported mainly in Table View, Parklands and Blouberg, but reports have now spread as far as Milnerton and Edgemead.
Ward 113 councillor Sue van der Linde established a dedicated WhatsApp line for residents to submit reports and recordings of the strange noise.
She told CapeTalk that 148 reports had been received.
Several possible sources ruled out
The investigation has already examined several potential sources.
The Astron Energy refinery was investigated and ruled out, while pump stations in the area were also checked.
One theory suggested that over-pumping at a station could be responsible. However, the timing of the reported noise did not correspond with nights when over-pumping was taking place.
The Potsdam water treatment plant was also investigated and ruled out.
A theory involving a public-address system at the Koeberg nuclear power station has likewise been dismissed.
With the noise being reported over a widening area, investigators are now considering other possibilities, including data-centre cooling systems, electrical transformers and ships, with wind potentially carrying the sound inland.
Van der Linde said she was also following up on a suggestion that the noise could be linked to loudspeakers used during Eskom drills.
‘We are going to find it’
One of the challenges facing the investigation is that the apparent source of the sound seems to change depending on where residents are listening.
Van der Linde said she has not personally heard the hum, despite listening to recordings and visiting areas where residents have reported it.
“It seems to be evading me wherever I go to try and find that; it moves, which is part of the problem,” she said.
Investigators are now collecting accurate addresses and location coordinates from residents in the hope that the reports can be triangulated to identify the source.
Gather information
The WhatsApp group initially created to gather information has also had to be restricted because of spam, although useful location data continues to come through.
The mysterious sound was first reported several weeks ago, with residents describing it as a constant hum or drone that is particularly noticeable at night.
The City of Cape Town had previously urged affected residents to log formal noise complaints, including the time, date and description of the disturbance.
For now, the source remains unknown.
But Van der Linde remains determined to solve the mystery.
“We are going to find it,” she said.
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