Cost of damage caused by Riverlands floods estimated at around R50m - Swartland mayor
Four dams on a farm caved in three weeks ago, causing widespread damage in the town and surrounding neighbourhoods.
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 - The damage caused by the recent floods in Riverlands near Malmesbury is estimated at around R50 million.
This was revealed by Swartland Mayor Harold Cleophas at a briefing in Riverlands on Thursday.
ALSO READ: Report: Land Reform and Rural Development responsible for collapse of dams in Riverlands
Four dams on a farm caved in three weeks ago, causing widespread damage in the town and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Homes and municipal infrastructure were severely damaged.
Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina visited the area on Thursday to publicise her department's preliminary report into the cause of the incident.
"We will have to engage, in partnership with the municipality, with the Premier of the Western Cape, whether this should be declared a disaster. Already, the municipality has a report that says we need R50m. This municipality doesn't have R50m. The district doesn't have R50m."