# comments2 - Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/dws-water-regulations/comments2/ - Published: 2026-04-09T17:17:13+02:00 - Author: dearSA _Advert_ _Advert – scroll down_ Displaying the **15** latest comments. [ view more ...](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/dws-water-regulations/comments3/) | Submitted | first-name | support | concern | top-concern | message | | 2026-09-06 03:24:04 +02:00 | Bason | No I do not | All of the above | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | | | 2026-08-11 13:57:49 +02:00 | Leon | No I do not | All of the above | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | | | 2026-07-23 14:13:45 +02:00 | Philip | No I do not | All of the above | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | DWS wants to take our human rights and property rights away - totally unacceptable | | 2026-07-22 08:18:37 +02:00 | Serati | No I do not | Local Economic Impact & Job Security | | | | 2026-07-16 11:16:02 +02:00 | John | No I do not | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | | | | 2026-07-02 15:24:45 +02:00 | Susanna | No I do not | Local Economic Impact & Job Security | | | | 2026-06-12 16:05:57 +02:00 | Ron | No I do not | All of the above | Local Economic Impact & Job Security | We are not children to be ruled by a corrupt government. Public spaces such as dams and rivers must remain open and accessible to all. Why is this happening? Government needs to fix up their act and ensure that they preserve our heritage for the coming generations. | | 2026-06-11 11:51:19 +02:00 | Ben | No I do not | All of the above | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | | | 2026-06-08 20:16:35 +02:00 | Riyaad | No I do not | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | | | | 2026-06-05 18:05:44 +02:00 | Chantelle | No I do not | All of the above | Environmental Management & Pollution Control | | | 2026-06-04 06:39:23 +02:00 | Elizabeth | No I do not | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | | | | 2026-06-03 18:33:26 +02:00 | Pieter Johannes | Yes I do | Other | | | | 2026-06-03 17:58:56 +02:00 | Dienie | No I do not | All of the above | Restriction of Public Access & Criminalisation of Recreation | | | 2026-05-28 15:27:08 +02:00 | S | No I do not | All of the above | Property Rights & 'Unbankable' Leases | | | 2026-05-28 07:02:35 +02:00 | Pienaar | No I do not | All of the above | Local Economic Impact & Job Security | | [What SUPPORTERS say](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/dws-water-regulations/comments2/#1770892117175-dfc38055-c838ccce-db34) - 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. - _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. [What OPPONENTS say](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/dws-water-regulations/comments2/#1770892117205-3c7c32e1-ce3dccce-db34) - 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. - _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. [ have your say](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/dws-water-regulations/#havasay)