The Democratic Alliance (DA) is disheartened by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina’s, lax attitude toward communities at risk of flooding downstream from the Vaal Dam.
Despite the dam sitting at over 105% of capacity at the end of the dry season, the Minister assured Parliament that no releases were planned as part of a strategy to manage dam levels, claiming evaporation and water consumption will naturally reduce dam levels ahead of the rainy season.
This response came in spite of early suggestions made by way of a Parliamentary Question put to the Minister in September. The question was put in the face of historical flooding events where sudden emergency releases from the Vaal Dam have caused devastation to downstream communities along the Vaal and Klip Rivers. The impact goes beyond Gauteng and also affects the Free State and North West Provinces.
In her reply, the Minister stated that the Vaal Dam is “structurally safe” even above 100% capacity and can store “up to 126%” of its designed capacity. She confirmed that no controlled releases are planned and that the Department will rely on natural evaporation and consumption, rather than proactive releases, to reduce levels.
The Minister also advised that no financial support will be provided to municipalities or affected communities in the event of damage caused by flooding and reminded local authorities and residents that developments within the flood line are at their own risk.
The Minister is effectively stating that government will not accept responsibility for any harm that may arise.
This reply reflects a high level of confidence from the Minister in her Department’s modelling and forecasts, however communities along the riverbanks are all too familiar with the sudden opening of sluice gates and the destruction that follows. If the Department refuses to create buffer storage now, and flooding does occur later this summer – then the consequences must rest squarely on the Minister’s shoulders.
With the first big rains having now fallen, the current level of the Vaal Dam leaves very little margin for safety. Relying on “natural drawdown” rather than pre-emptive water releases places residents, farms, tourism operations, small businesses, and municipal infrastructure at serious risk, especially considering the recent reports that South Africa is expecting a wetter than normal summer due to the La Nina weather pattern.
The DA had this matter placed on parliamentary record to ensure that future consequences cannot be dismissed as unforeseeable. Should flooding occur due to late or emergency releases, the DA will hold the Minister and the Department directly accountable for the decisions taken now.
Residents and municipalities downstream of the Vaal Dam are urged to monitor official bulletins closely and prepare for possible high-flow events over the summer months. The DA will continue to push for transparent and regular dam level reporting, proactive release strategies, and real-time communication with affected communities.