By Mpho Moloi
In a comprehensive 100-day performance review held in Pretoria on Tuesday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina addressed critical issues concerning dam failures and infrastructure projects across South Africa. The Minister provided updates on the Riverlands dam failures, the Jagersfontein Tailings Dam incident, the Hammanskraal water project, and interventions in the Emfuleni Local Municipality.
Riverlands Dam Failures
On 8 August 2024, a series of interlinked, privately-owned dams failed on a farm near Riverlands in the Swartland Local Municipality, Western Cape. The breaches caused extensive damage to municipal infrastructure and residential properties, necessitating humanitarian assistance for hundreds of affected individuals. Minister Majodina visited the site, engaged with the community, and initiated an investigation into the causes of the failures.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the original owner constructed the dams without obtaining the legally required approval from the Department of Water and Sanitation. Subsequent owners failed to register the dams as mandated by the National Water Act, resulting in a lack of regular inspections and missed early warning signs of potential failure. Consequently, the department has directed the current owner to safely decommission the failed dams. Further investigations are underway to determine liability for the damages incurred. 
Jagersfontein Tailings Dam Incident
The Minister reported that the comprehensive technical investigation into the 2022 failure of the Jagersfontein Tailings Dam in the Free State has been completed. The disaster resulted in three fatalities, one missing person, and extensive damage to public and private property. The investigation report has been submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), following the department’s criminal charges against the dam owners in 2022. 
Hammanskraal Water Project
Minister Majodina announced the upcoming launch of Phase One of the Hammanskraal water project on Saturday, 16 November 2024. This phase includes the provision of an additional 12.5 megalitres of water. The project, valued at R750 million, is being implemented through the Magalies Water Board to provide clean drinking water to the Hammanskraal area. It involves constructing additional water treatment capacity at the Magalies Water Treatment Works near Hammanskraal. The Minister also inspected the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works to assess the municipality’s refurbishment progress. 
Emfuleni Local Municipality Intervention
Addressing sewage pollution in the Emfuleni Local Municipality, Gauteng, the department, through Rand Water, is implementing a R7.5 billion intervention under Section 63 of the Water Services Act. This initiative aims to address sewage pollution from the municipality’s wastewater treatment systems. The intervention has significantly reduced the number and frequency of sewage spillages into streets and homes. Work is ongoing to completely eradicate sewage pollution in the municipality. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) by the Rand Water Board and the Emfuleni Local Municipality is in the process of being established and will be launched once all legal requirements, including National Treasury approval, are fulfilled. 
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