Water Department Issues Urgent Safety Directive for Senteeko Dam in Mpumalanga

According to the department, a series of technical and engineering assessments have confirmed that the dam remains in a compromised and partially failed condition.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has issued a dam safety directive to urgently address persistent and serious safety risks at My Own Dam, publicly known as Senteeko Dam, in Mpumalanga.

The directive, issued in terms of Section 118 of the National Water Act, was formally served on the dam owner, the Shamile Communal Property Association (CPA), on Tuesday, 3 February 2025. It compels the owner to take immediate, time-bound remedial action to stabilise the dam and prevent further deterioration that could endanger lives, livelihoods and property downstream.

Ongoing Structural Failure Confirmed

According to the department, a series of technical and engineering assessments have confirmed that the dam remains in a compromised and partially failed condition. Without urgent intervention, the structural integrity of the dam is expected to continue deteriorating.

"These conditions pose an unacceptable level of risk that cannot be adequately managed through monitoring alone," the department said, adding that regulatory intervention has become unavoidable.

High Risk to Downstream Communities

The department warned that continued deterioration of the dam presents a direct threat to downstream farming communities, with the potential for:

• Loss of life

• Damage to homes and agricultural land

• Destruction of infrastructure

"These risks are heightened during periods of rainfall and cannot be ignored or deferred," the department said, stressing that the danger posed by Senteeko Dam has not yet been averted.

Controlled Water Levels to Prevent Collapse

Engineers have deliberately avoided rapidly lowering water levels in the dam, as a sudden drawdown could trigger additional structural failure of the already weakened dam wall. This careful approach forms part of broader risk mitigation efforts while permanent repairs are being planned.

Engineer Given Seven Days to Act

Under the directive, the dam owner's Appointed Professional Engineer (APP) has been instructed to urgently:

• Reassess the dam's structural condition

• Determine the remedial measures required to prevent further deterioration

• Propose interventions to reduce the risk of failure

These determinations must be completed within seven days of the directive and submitted to the DWS Dam Safety Office for review and approval.

Once approved, the dam owner will be required to immediately commence urgent repair works, including appointing a competent and suitably qualified contractor.

"All repair works must be carried out under the supervision of the APP and continue until the department is satisfied that the dam no longer poses an unacceptable risk to downstream communities," DWS said.

February 2026 Deadline for Technical Submissions

The department has set a firm deadline of 13 February 2026 for the submission of all required engineering designs and technical documentation, in strict accordance with the directive.

"Failure to comply with these instructions will result in further enforcement action, as provided for by the law," the department warned.

Human Safety Remains the Priority

DWS said it will prioritise regulatory approvals to ensure corrective work proceeds without delay, reiterating that the protection of human life, property and livelihoods downstream of the Senteeko Dam remains its foremost concern.

The department will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as developments unfold.