Water Ministers visit Vaal Dam as water levels continue to rise

Residents living near riverbanks along the Vaal Dam have been evacuated as the dam's waters continue to rise. On Wednesday, the Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, visited the Vaal Dam to assess the water resource infrastructure amid heavy inflows into the dam due to heavy rainfall. Recently, torrential rains forced the department to implement necessary dam safety precautions and controlled water releases by opening sluice gates. The dam reached its limit of more than 100% in water storage levels over the weekend. The opening of five sluice gates resulted in an overflow of water. Moreover, homes along the swollen banks of the Vaal River were flooded. Majodina says evacuations are necessary to prevent loss of life and further damage to infrastructure. Phemelo speaks Water and Sanitation Spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa.