The FF Plus requested the Minister of Tourism, Ms Patricia de Lille, to immediately take steps to ensure that the communities and especially the tourist resorts on the banks of the Vaal River are not destroyed by floods again as a result of the local water authorities’ negligence.
In February 2023, damage amounting to tens of millions was incurred along the Vaal River after resorts were unexpectedly hit by a strong flood.
At the time it became apparent rather quickly that the disaster was mainly caused by poor coordination between the various authorities responsible for regulating the Vaal Dam’s outflow.
There was no timely communication with residents, local authorities and tourist resorts on the banks of the river either.
The disaster caused massive damage and many job opportunities, from Lindequesdrif to the other side of Bloemhof, were lost. Several of the resorts have still not fully recovered from the damage.
The FF Plus has, among other things, requested that Minister De Lille sees to it that the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, intervenes directly at the relevant water authorities to prevent a repetition of the disaster.
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