Getting together in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, AfriForum met with local farmers and Newcastillian News to discuss the years-long unrepaired sluice gate at Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam. A problem the Department of Water, over the past two years, has assured would be remedied. Yet, the sluice gate is still broken and the department’s latest statement claims the gate will only be remedied in 7 months.
Newcastillian News first reported on the problem in January 2022, when the Department of Water and Sanitation confirmed that the sluice gate was broken. However, at the time, the government entity assured that it was resolving the issue and further emphasised there was no water wastage.
To read the full article, click here.
Then, in April 2022, the Department pointed out that the matter had still not been resolved. However, said that it was finalising the appointment of a professional service provider to manufacture, deliver, install, and commission a radial gate at Ntshingwayo Dam.
In addition to this, an emergency gate/stoplog had been installed as a temporary solution to prevent water loss.
To read the full article, click here.
Then in July 2022, local farmers explained that while the department had assured it was taking the necessary steps, the broken sluice gate was still nowhere near resolved.
The farmers explained that there was a risk of water levels running dangerously low, which would impact the local agricultural sector and residents. With this in mind, the farmers approached an engineer to establish if they could assist with the repair work.
However, the department claimed the farmers could not take it upon themselves to repair the broken sluice gate.
To read the full article, click here.
In January 2023, Newcastillian News yet again followed up on the repair work on the broken sluice gate as we were concerned about the water safety in the region.
The spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation, Mavasa Wisane told Newcastillian News, “Due to the complexity of the work, the Department is still finalising the scope of work for the appointment of the contractors.”
She added that it was anticipated that the work would be completed within seven months upon the appointment of the contractor.
To read the full article, click here.
As the work to repair the dam continues to lag, and despite the constant assurances from the department that there is no water wastage, local farmers had a meeting with AfriForum’s District Coordinator for KwaZulu-Natal, Eugene van Aswegen.
The purpose of the meeting was to acquire support from the civil rights organisation, to establish a working relationship with the government, and see how the farmers could assist in repairing the broken sluice gate.
One farmer explained, “The emergency stoplog was not meant to be a permanent solution. If the water pressure gets too much, there is a possibility the dam wall might break.”
Moreover, despite the assurances from the Department, the farmers explained that there was a degree of water wastage. This, they told, could impact the agricultural sector and the communities who rely on the dam for their water supply.
While the Department is in charge of the dam’s infrastructure, one farmer pointed out, “It is also important for the Newcastle Municipality and Amajuba District Municipality to get involved, as this could impact water supply to the communities.”
According to a statement from the Department of Water in Sanitation from November 2017, Ntshingwayo Dam provides water to Newcastle, Dannhauser, and Dundee and also supplements Utrecht.
Meaning that if the dam wall breaks due to a faulty part or there is a major drought, hundreds of thousands of people will face difficult times.
With the potential of a water crisis hitting Newcastle and its surroundings and out of concern for the community as a whole, the local farming community turned to AfriForum for guidance on how to establish a working relationship with both the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Government as a whole.
Sharing their insights into the challenges faced, the farmers explained that irrigation farmers among them could not irrigate their crops properly if there was a flaw within the water supply.
As the farmers have developed a strategy with their engineer, they felt that they could provide substantial assistance to the Department to see that Chelmsford Dam’s sluice gate is repaired before a major crisis hits the area.
Van Aswegen requested that the local farmers and the local AfriForum collect all the necessary information pertaining to the Ntshingwayo Dam, for AfriForum to approach the necessary officials. Thereby gaining insights into how the farming community could assist in the repair work at the dam.
From a local municipality side, Cllr Faizel Cassim pointed out he would follow the necessary channels to gather support from the local and district municipality.
What is your take on all of this?
The cretins in charge deliberately want to cause a disaster. We really need a change
Die verantwoordelike mense teen oor die belastingbetaaler, dink net aan hulle self . Herstel van belangrike dienste is nie hulle eerste prioriteit nie.
This is not acceptable again no ramafications thats why there is no accountabillity and action how long can it take to repair one only one sluice gate but its been two years julle is sleg verby
Wow 2 years come guys do the right thing what about the park it’s so not fair the road is n total disaster you are to scared to go to the dam for a day out.Come on fix what is needed to be fixed show your people what you r capable of