WATCH: DWS throws cold water over claims of Shongweni Dam wall collapse

Spokesperson Sputnik Ratau says contrary to social media claims, the two of the 10 gates are designed to let water through as a safety measure to avoid catastrophic failure of the entire dam. 

"Shongweni Dam has not collapsed as people would want everybody else to believe.  

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"Shongweni Dam has got ten gates which when they are under pressure they are designed in such a manner that then fuse and then whey fuse they then let out the extra amount of water that is making the pressure to come onto the dam wall and so that is what happened." 

Ratau says they are monitoring for any possible damages downstream. 

He urged communities living near the wall to be vigilant and cautious of their surroundings.  

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"They also look out for the fact if the flow of the river continuously rises, they move further and further away from the banks of the river as well as way above the flood line. 

"It is important for people to understand that anything below the flood line will always be in danger of flooding whenever the river rises or when extra water is released from the dam."