Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell has announced that preparations for a class action lawsuit on behalf of Riverlands flood victims are nearing completion.
In August last year, severe floods impacted over 200 residents in Riverlands, a small farming community near Cape Town, following the collapse of four dam walls at a nearby farm owned by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development.
A preliminary investigation by Majodina implicates the property owners, suggesting that the department neglected to verify whether the dams were properly registered when acquiring the property.
Bredell confirmed significant progress in initiating legal proceedings through the Inter-governmental Relations Framework Act, emphasizing the municipality’s responsibility to support the affected residents.
“The municipality is well-advanced in the process of pursuing a class action against the national department,” Bredell stated. “It’s crucial that someone steps up to support and assist the community.”
Additionally, Bredell has received assurances from the municipality that preventive measures are in place to avoid a repeat disaster. “With the dams remaining open, the water flow will be consistent rather than abrupt, significantly reducing the risk of future flooding,” he explained.
