President Cyril Ramaphosa is visiting the flood-stricken OR Tambo District Municipality today, Friday, June 13, where over 70 lives have been lost and extensive property damage has occurred due to devastating floods.
As the President’s visit gets underway, local authorities are battling not only the aftermath of the disaster but also dangerous misinformation. The OR Tambo District Municipality has issued an urgent statement dispelling false claims circulating on social media that alleged the district authority opened sluice gates at Mthatha Dam, supposedly causing the destruction.
“There are no sluice gates to open,” the municipality clarified in their statement. “The Mthatha Dam operates with uncontrolled spillways, which means water flows automatically when the dam reaches full capacity. No one controls or triggers this; it is an engineering safeguard, not a municipal decision.”
President Ramaphosa’s visit comes as part of the government’s response to the catastrophic flooding. The President is expected to assess damage, meet with affected communities, and coordinate further relief efforts as the region works to recover from one of the worst flooding disasters in recent memory.
Local authorities are emphasizing the importance of accurate information during this critical time. “In times like these, misinformation is dangerous. It fuels panic, confuses communities and undermines the real work being done to protect and support our people,” the municipality stated. “We are on the ground, we are responding and we are restoring services. Let the truth rise above the noise.”
