Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal
The Newcastle Municipality has dismissed as false a voice note circulating on social media that alleges the Ntshingwayo Dam has been poisoned, reassuring residents that the water supply remains safe and fit for human consumption.
The voice note, which has spread rapidly across messaging platforms, claims that the dam supplying water to Newcastle, Madadeni and Osizweni has been deliberately contaminated. Municipal officials have described the claim as unfounded and misleading, warning that it has the potential to cause unnecessary alarm among communities that rely on the dam for their daily water needs.
Ntshingwayo Dam, located on the Ngagane River just outside Newcastle, is a critical component of the town’s water infrastructure and supplies a large portion of northern KwaZulu-Natal. Given its importance, the Municipality has stressed that the dam and the water treatment system connected to it are subject to ongoing monitoring and strict quality control measures.
According to the Municipality, routine water quality testing has detected no abnormalities. Officials confirmed that testing is conducted regularly in accordance with the South African National Standard for drinking water (SANS 241), which sets safety requirements to ensure water is clean and safe for human consumption.
Newcastle’s Mayor Xolani Dube has condemned the circulation of the voice note, describing it as false and irresponsible. The Mayor said the Municipality would not tolerate the spread of misinformation that undermines public confidence and creates fear within communities.
“Our water systems are continuously monitored in line with national standards, and there is no evidence of any contamination,” the Mayor said.
Municipal authorities have indicated that they are working with relevant stakeholders to trace the origin of the message. Legal or criminal action may be taken against individuals found to have deliberately spread false information.
The Municipality has also appealed to residents to act responsibly when receiving information on social media, urging them not to share unverified messages. Members of the public are encouraged to rely on official municipal communication platforms for accurate and timely updates.
Reaffirming its commitment to public health and service delivery, the Newcastle Municipality said it remains focused on ensuring uninterrupted access to safe drinking water for all residents.
As a Newcastle resident, do you feel confident that the town’s drinking water is safe for consumption?