The City of Mbombela has ordered residents living downstream of Senteeko Dam, situated between Kaapsehoop and Barberton, to evacuate immediately. The municipality said the dam wall is approaching failure following days of relentless rainfall across the Mpumalanga province. Mayor Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko confirmed the severity of the situation, saying: “Senteeko dam wall is busy failing due to the rain.” She warned that a collapse would send a devastating wall of water through multiple river systems.
“If the dam wall does fail, there will be a 1.82 million m³ rush of water into the Suidkaap,” Makushe-Mazibuko said. Residents and businesses in the following areas are urged to move to higher ground immediately. The department of water and sanitation confirmed it had been notified about the private dam’s precarious condition and had mobilised response teams to assess the structure.
Speaking toThe Citizen, the department said that the dam was “at risk of collapsing”, but it was not able to assist. “Currently, teams from Inkomati-Usuthu catchment management area have been dispatched to the dam in question to assess the structure. However, they are currently unable to access or reach the area due to flooded roads,” it said. The department indicated that more information would be forthcoming once conditions permit proper evaluation.
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