Owner of collapsed Riverlands dams should have known about the risk - Majodina
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said that the owner of the three dams that collapsed in Riverlands, near Malmesbury, should have known about the risk.
The aftermath of flooding in Riverlands, near Malmesbury in the Western Cape, after three dam retention walls collapsed on 8 August 2024. Picture: Melikhaya Zagagana/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said that the owner of the three dams that collapsed in Riverlands, near Malmesbury, should have known about the risk.
According to the minister, the dam structure showed features which indicated it was not well maintained.
Majodina visited the area on Sunday to assess the damage.
Minister Majodina said its embarrasing that no one was coming forward to claim ownership of the six dams that are located in a farm overlooking Riverlands.
According to her, if the fourth dam, which was leaking, collapsed as well, there may have been a death toll.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina: "So each and every person who is owning the dam must maintain the dam, that is the practical norms and standards for dam safety. Immediately when that investigation is done, we said that investigation must be fast-tracked, if it takes long. It should not take long, it should not exceed seven days."
Majodina added that engineers were investigating what led to the collapse of the three dams.
The Minister of Water and Sanitation, says it’s not clear who owns the dams that collapsed it’s walls and flooded the Riverlands Community. pic.twitter.com/EuW7G9BGhH
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 11, 2024
Unhappy Riverlands residents say the collapse of the walls of the three dams could have been prevented. pic.twitter.com/SlslXTjtLt
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 11, 2024