Minister Pemmy Majodina is reviewing a report from an independent investigation, led by retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe, into alleged illegal blockages of tributaries feeding the Middle Letaba Dam
- The blockages are believed to have drastically reduced water inflow, contributing to the dam’s critically low level of 8%, which has severely impacted water supply to key treatment works and agricultural irrigation.
- While the Department of Water and Sanitation has conducted inspections and initiated interventions, the Minister is expected to announce official action soon, with emphasis on enforcing water governance and accountability.
The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, is currently studying the final report of an independent investigation into the alleged illegal blockages of tributaries feeding the Middle Letaba Dam in Limpopo.
Commissioned by former Minister Senzo Mchunu, the investigation was prompted by mounting complaints from local farmers and community members about unlawful obstructions and diversions of watercourses flowing into the dam.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has received complaints from the concerned local farmers and community members.
The Minister and his Deputies David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala conducted a site inspection at the streams and tributaries along some of the biggest farms at Mooketsi in Limpopo, before interacting with the concerned farmers and community members who have been negatively affected by the alleged blockages.
Middle Letaba Dam is fed from the Middle Letaba, Koedoes and Brandboontjies rivers in the Middle Letaba sub-catchment within the Olifant Catchment Area. Its primary objective is to supply raw water to domestic users and for irrigation purposes. The dam is a source for Middle Letaba, Mapuve and Giyani Water Treatment Works through a 60 km canal.
These alleged illegal activities are believed to have significantly contributed to the dam’s alarmingly low levels, currently at an approximate 8%.
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“It’s diminished capacity has had far-reaching implications, severely limiting the supply of water via the 60 km canal to the Middle Letaba, Mapuve, and Giyani Water Treatment Works,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said on Saturday.
The report was compiled by a panel led by retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe and was handed over to the Minister on Friday, 16 May 2025.
“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 department said.
The dam supplies 82% of water agriculture, with industry and mining using 3% and 6% respectively, whereas it supplies 8% of water for domestic use.
The Department has also implemented interventions that includes developing groundwater to maximise the available source from the dam, and the transfer of water from Nandoni Dam to Nsami Dam to augment water in the Nsami system in Giyani.