Majodina allocates R20m emergency funding for Knysna water crisis

By Levy Masiteng 

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has announced an emergency relief allocation of R20 million for the Knysna Municipality, as part of urgent interventions to address the town’s intensifying water crisis.

The announcement follows Majodina’s two-day working visit to Knysna Municipality, in the Garden Route District, where she assessed the extent of the water challenges and met with local stakeholders. 

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During the visit,  Majodina, alongside Knysna Executive Mayor Thando Matika and officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), conducted inspections at key water infrastructure sites, including the Akkerkloof Dam, Karatara River and several municipal boreholes.

In a statement, Majodina said the Akkerkloof Dam, the municipality’s primary storage facility, is about 16% full, translating to an estimated 13 days of usable water at current consumption levels.

According to the department,