WATCH: Water minister says department not in bad state to deal with floods, droughts

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has said it is in an acceptable state to deal with the eventuality of either drought or floods.

This was stated by the minister of the DWS, Senzo Mchunu on Tuesday at kwaMshaya, Mtubatuba, during a consultative conference convened to share and discuss input from various stakeholders regarding the department’s proposed plan to construct a dam in the lower Mfolozi catchment, among others.

Experts and researchers, Mchunu said, have indicated that there is a possibility that a drought may hit the country, while others are of the view that climate change could bring about either floods or droughts.

“We do not look down on those views. We have got to be prepared for whatever eventuality,” said Mchunu, assuring that his department is ‘not in a bad state to do so’.

The conference is expected to address issues impacting communities living near or adjacent to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, such as the closure of the Mfolozi River mouth resulting in the flooding of farm fields; and the lack of water which sometimes results in communities protesting, among other issues.

“When it comes to water, we really don’t want people to become desperate or anxious,” said Mchunu, urging conference attendees to openly share their views.

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