By Levy Masiteng
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has dispatched a team of dam safety engineers to the Senteeko Dam, in the Mbombela Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, to conduct an urgent technical assessment and monitor reported structural damage.
An evacuation alert has been issued for communities downstream of the dam.
The DWS confirmed that the dam, with a storage capacity of 1.8 million m³, is at risk of failure.
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Authorities have warned that an imminent dam wall failure could potentially release the water into the Suidkaap area, posing serious risks to lives, property, and infrastructure.
Mpumalanga has been hit by persistent heavy rainfall and flooding in January, with authorities issuing repeated flood alerts and reporting damage to infrastructure and disruption to communities in parts of the province.
The DWS said areas most likely to be affected include communities in close proximity to the dam, particularly the Barberton Valley.
“Relevant communications, warnings, and evacuation processes are being implemented by the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of communities living downstream of the dam,” said DWS spokesperson Wisane Mavasa.
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To mitigate the risk, the owner of the dam is expected to start supervised excavations of a side-channel spillway.
This aims to lower the water level in the dam, reducing undercutting of the spillway channel and preventing catastrophic failure, according to the department.
“Our assessments indicate that undercutting of the spillway channel is continuing, which poses a threat to the stability of the dam,” Mavasa said.
“However, there is currently no overtopping of the dam wall, and no excessive seepage has been observed on the earthfill embankment.”
Wisani said that while inflows from Die Kaap River have made it difficult to significantly lower water levels, river flow observations showed a decrease since Monday.
The Senteeko Dam, officially registered as My Own Dam, is a privately owned, 26-metre-high earthfill embankment dam with a concrete spillway, which is owned by the Shamile Communal Property Association (CPA).
The dam is primarily used for irrigation purposes.
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Mavasa said that the dam’s safety remains a national priority and has told communities to comply with evacuation instructions, avoid low-water bridges, and stay away from rivers and flood-prone areas.
“We also urge members of the public to share verified information responsibly and to follow guidance issued by authorities on the ground.”
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