Majodina reviews report on illegal Middle Letaba Dam blockages

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has received the final report on alleged illegal blockages of rivers feeding the critically low Middle Letaba Dam in Limpopo.

The investigation, led by retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe, was initiated by former minister Senzo Mchunu following widespread concerns from farmers and community members about unauthorised diversions affecting water flow into the dam.

Middle Letaba Dam levels at critical low

The Middle Letaba Dam’s water level currently stands at approximately 8%, a situation officials believe has been exacerbated by unlawful obstructions of its feeding waterways.

According to the department’s weekly report on the status of the country’s dams, the Middle Letaba Dam stood at 7.9% on 12 May, a decrease from the week prior, where the dam was at exactly 8%.

However, around the same period last year, the dam was exceedingly low, standing at 1.8% of its 172.0 million cubic meters capacity.

The department said the dam relies on inflows from the Middle Letaba, Koedoes, and Brandboontjies rivers within the Olifant Catchment Area.

“The dam is a vital water source for households, agriculture, and industry across the region,” the department stated.

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Far-reaching consequences

According to SA Government News, the department emphasised that the dam’s severely diminished capacity has created significant challenges for regional water supply infrastructure.

Its depleted state has “severely limited the supply of water via the 60 km canal to the Middle Letaba, Mapuve, and Giyani Water Treatment Works,” affecting numerous communities dependent on these facilities.

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Next steps

Ngoepe’s panel reportedly submitted their findings to Majodina on Friday.

While specific details of the report have not yet been made public, the department indicated decisive action would follow.

“The minister will announce the department’s course of action in due course.”

“Nonetheless, there is a clear and urgent need to uphold the recommendations of the report to restore accountability, reinforce lawful water governance, and protect the integrity of South Africa’s water resources.”

The investigation’s findings could have significant implications for water management practices in the drought-prone region, where proper allocation of scarce resources remains a persistent challenge.

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