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The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes a commitment received by Phokwane Municipality to allow Vaalharts Water to repair and reseal a collapsing irrigation water retention dam in Hartswater.

Following an oversight inspection of the dam by DA Premier Candidate, Dr Isak Fritz, together with councillors and community stakeholders on Monday, and subsequent engagements with the Mayor, Cllr Willem Harmse, I have secured a written letter of permission from the Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Madoda Vilakazi, to Mr Niel Van Eeden of Vaalharts Water, to proceed with the work on the dam.

Approval comes amidst growing community concerns that the collapsing dam is a ticking time bomb.

It is not fenced off, nor is there any access control. This poses the threat of drowning to children, who may be tempted to swim in the dam in the hot summer months. The danger is aggravated by the low water levels in the dam due to the vulnerable state of its walls. If someone was to jump or fall in, they would have no way out because there are no stairs and they would not be able to pull themselves out from the side.

There is also the possibility of the dam walls collapsing, causing the area to flood. Given the dam’s proximity to a private clinic, houses, a school and sports facilities, this could cause severe damage, possibly culminating in costly litigation.

The dam further supplies the gardens in town, the pavements, as well as the greenhouse tunnels and sportsfields at Hartswater High School, in addition to the jukskei and bowling clubs, with water. These sporting facilities are in top-notch condition and are utilized for regional circular championships. The collapse of the dam would therefore prove detrimental to sport in the region.

The dam adds significant value to the local community. While the offer by the stakeholders to fix and maintain the dam at no cost to the municipality was previously rejected by a number of municipal managers before Mr Vilakazi, we appreciate his recognition of the value that the dam adds to the community and his willingness to join hands with Vaalharts Water.

The upgrade and maintenance of infrastructure, especially water infrastructure, is essential to sustain the provision of services to our communities and should not be neglected by the Phokwane municipality.

Issued by Harold McGluwa, MPL - DA Northern Cape Provincial Leader