For the past two weeks, a team from Overstrand Municipality Fire Services has been in Malmesbury, providing assistance to residents by delivering and distributing water.

This support follows the collapse of two retention dams above Riverlands Dam on 8 August 2024. The Riverlands Dam burst its wall and caused significant flooding, affecting many homes and thousands of people in the greater Chatsworth area.

The Overstrand Municipality who took a 5 000-liter water tanker to the Swartland, includes firefighters Hershelle Marinus, Cecil Abrahamse, Owen Stewart and Aldenovan Arendse. The team has been working from before 07:00 in the morning until well past 23:00. To ensure nearly continuous water distribution, the Fire Department is also sending two relief firefighters every three or four days to help manage the demand.

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie thanked the firefighters for always going the extra mile when called upon to do so. She recalled how other municipalities, in the spirit of co-operation, came to Overstrand’s assistance during the September 2023 water crisis and said she is thankful to be able to help another municipality in need.