LETTER: Another damn state failure

If the government had built dams upstream from the Kruger National Park, everything would be fine

January 29, 2026 at 05:00 am

Shimuwini camp, Kruger National Park, a week ago. Water has entered the front row of chalets. — The Letaba River after it burst its banks in the Kruger National Park. That water should have been in an upstream dam, a reader says. (SANParks Facebook)

In the past 31 years this government has not built a single dam. All the water running through the Kruger National Park recently could have been held in dams and check dams. The whole of Mpumalanga could be a food basket under irrigation.

And as for the municipalities that have shortages now. All self-made — when you give out something for free, it gets abused. You also find you’re a little short financially to cover the leaks in the pipes carrying the free water. It’s time to shut off the freebies — both water and power. We live in a dry country, so you don’t give out water to waste.

Peter Gordon Grant

By e-mail

The FM welcomes concise letters from readers. They can be sent to fmmail@fm.co.za

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