Swartland mayor Harold Cleophas has revealed that the damage caused by the recent floods in Riverlands near Malmesbury in the Western Cape when three dam walls collapsed is estimated at around R50 million. Three weeks ago, four dams on a farm caved in, causing widespread damage in the town and surrounding neighbourhoods due to flooding.

NO FUNDS

The mayor said that the municipality just doesn't have that kind of money available. Following the severe flooding, homes and municipal infrastructure were damaged. Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina has since publicised her department's preliminary report into the cause of the incident and findings. Majodina said all of the three dams that burst on a farm close to Riverlands were in disrepair, with erosion, pipe failure, and no spillways. She added that four dams topped over into the other, resulting in major flooding in the area. "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 " Majodina said.

LAND OFFERING

Western Cape Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers said his department would make a portion of land available in Riverlands for the rebuilding of about 50 houses that were washed away during the floods. "We have been in discussions with the MM and the mayor since last week because we do own land above the flood plain levels in Riverlands. Seeing that the national Department of Public Works also has land above the flood plain level, we will be engaging their DDG in terms of acquiring that portion of land," Simmers added.