Authorities probe claims that water for Saldanha area is being stolen
These include attempts to channel water from the Bergrivier to off-stream dams, and other illegal extraction mechanisms
The Western Cape provincial government is investigating allegations that water is being stolen as it makes its way from the Bergrivier dam to the Misverstand weir. Local government‚ environmental affairs and development planning MEC Anton Bredell said a co-ordinated law-enforcement response had been put in place, to catch anyone trying to illegally divert the water intended for the Saldanha area. The Bergrivier dam sluices have been opened to release 5-million cubic metres of water to the parched Misverstand dam, which had been forecast to run out of water later this week. "We understand that there have been attempts by some to extract water irregularly as it heads towards Misverstand‚" he said. This included attempts to channel water from the river to off-stream dams and other illegal extraction mechanisms. He warned anyone caught doing this would face harsh penalties. He also asked the public to report any instances of any illegal water extraction to their nearest municipalities. ...
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