South Africa’s Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister, Sello Seitlholo, has launched an urgent mission to tackle the spread of invasive aquatic weeds and worsening water pollution at Vaalkop Dam in Rustenburg. The dam, a vital water source for both residential and industrial users, is under threat due to the rapid growth of species like water hyacinth and Salvinia minima, which are choking water flow and undermining the operation of nearby treatment plants.
During a two-day oversight visit, Seitlholo announced that he will personally oversee the complete removal of these weeds and lead a newly formed multi-stakeholder task force charged with restoring the dam’s health. The task force will include government officials, environmental experts, NGOs, and local representatives, all focused on assessing the infestation, drafting recovery plans, and implementing long-term solutions.
Authorities link the weed outbreak to upstream pollution caused by failing wastewater plants, fertilizer-heavy agricultural runoff, informal settlements, and mining waste. This has led to high nutrient loads—particularly nitrogen and phosphorus—turning the dam into a breeding ground for invasive species. The situation is worsened by low water levels, sediment buildup, and legacy seed banks.
Seitlholo warned that this is not just an isolated issue, calling for water pollution to be declared a national crisis. He pledged tougher monitoring of municipalities that continue to pollute rivers and dams, warning of legal and financial penalties for non-compliance.
The Vaalkop Dam effort is part of a broader push to reform water management nationwide. Seitlholo’s office is preparing a national plan to expand invasive plant removal, upgrade wastewater infrastructure, and raise public awareness. The goal is to protect South Africa’s water resources from long-term degradation while ensuring sustainable access to clean water for all communities.