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Displaying the 15 latest comments.
Submitted | first-name | support | concern | top-concern | message |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2026-05-19 22:27:01 +02:00 | Ian | No I do not | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | |
2026-05-18 18:32:14 +02:00 | Dioné | No I do not | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | This is over reach of the government. Citizens of the country have the right to enjoy our beautiful country and the natural resources and environment that we have. We do not want to be excluded or prevented from enjoying nature she's what SA has to offer. |
2026-05-18 11:15:31 +02:00 | JP | No I do not | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | Rather focus on providing all South Africans running and easy accessible water than putting regulations in place that will further burden the DWS. |
2026-05-17 18:38:18 +02:00 | Jonathan | No I do not | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | ||
2026-05-17 18:00:07 +02:00 | Jan | No I do not | All of the above | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | The DWS has got more work to do to fulfill their obligation to supply potable water to all citizens of SA at this stage. PREVENTING SEWAGE POLUTION INTO OUR SCARCE WATER RESOURCES WILL KEEP DWS BUSY FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS. POTABLE WATER SHOULD BE DWS FIRST PRIORITY AND NOT ACCESS CONTROL TO DAMS FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES. ADDRESS UNPLANNED TOWNSHIPS WATER AND SANITATION SPILLAGES AND POLUTION INTO RIVERS AND DAMS FIRST. SA CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY DWS BOTHER WITH ADDITIONAL ABSURD LEGULATIONS INSTEAD OF COMPLYING WITH THEIR BASIC REQUIREMENTS TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF POTABLE WATER TO ALL PEOPLE. ACCESS TO POTABLE WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT. START AND COMPLETE THAT NEED FIRST BEFORE TAKiNG ON ANY NEW PROJECTS. IT REMAINS A PRIORITY TO ALL CITIZENS IN SA |
2026-05-17 16:29:45 +02:00 | Stewart | No I do not | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | Another way to close open spaces to the population and put them in Agenda 2030 scenarios |
2026-05-17 16:06:19 +02:00 | Andre | No I do not | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | ||
2026-05-15 14:30:51 +02:00 | desire | No I do not | All of the above | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | |
2026-05-15 05:33:28 +02:00 | Frederico | No I do not | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | ||
2026-05-14 15:52:01 +02:00 | Anthony | No I do not | All of the above | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | |
2026-05-13 20:08:17 +02:00 | Jadon | No I do not | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | |
2026-05-13 11:36:04 +02:00 | Glenn | Not fully | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | |
2026-05-13 10:33:37 +02:00 | Firyaal | No I do not | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | |
2026-05-12 11:42:46 +02:00 | Anestasia | No I do not | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | ||
2026-05-11 13:26:13 +02:00 | Jors | No I do not | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation |
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- Supporters of the regulations argue that the 1964 laws are outdated and that the new regulations will improve safety, protect the environment from invasive species, and ensure that dams are accessible to all South Africans, not just those with private shoreline access.
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- Safety and Security: Standardised rules for boating, safety equipment, and incident reporting will make our dams safer for everyone.
- Environmental Protection: Mandatory “wash bays” and stricter controls will help prevent the spread of invasive plants and water pollution.
- Equity and Transformation: The policy aims to open up state-owned land for public picnic areas and community access, ensuring broader benefit.
- Formalisation: Replacing informal “handshake” agreements with formal leases ensures transparency and revenue for the state to maintain infrastructure.
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- Supporters of the regulations argue that the 1964 laws are outdated and that the new regulations will improve safety, protect the environment from invasive species, and ensure that dams are accessible to all South Africans, not just those with private shoreline access.
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- Opponents of the regulations argue that the policy is a form of “regulatory overreach” that threatens local economies. They are concerned that short-term leases will make properties “unbankable,” and that the state is attempting to criminalise traditional recreational activities that are currently protected under the National Water Act.
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- Economic Risk: Capping leases at ~10 years with no automatic renewal prevents owners from securing 20-year bonds, potentially collapsing property values and tourism.
- Infringement of Rights: The regulations seek to treat recreational use as a “privilege” to be paid for, rather than a “right” as established in the National Water Act.
- De Facto Expropriation: Claiming control of private land below the flood line without compensation undermines the security of title deeds.
- Administrative Burden: Shifting the state’s job of monitoring and enforcement onto private clubs and citizens is an unfair and impractical burden.
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- Opponents of the regulations argue that the policy is a form of “regulatory overreach” that threatens local economies. They are concerned that short-term leases will make properties “unbankable,” and that the state is attempting to criminalise traditional recreational activities that are currently protected under the National Water Act.