KwaZulu-Natal is grappling with the aftermath of catastrophic weather events from February 16 to 28, resulting in a national state of disaster declaration by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC). The devastating rains, thunderstorms, floods, and high winds have caused an estimated R3.1 billion in damages and led to the loss of 22 lives.

KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has welcomed the NDMC’s declaration of a National State of Disaster which, promulgated in terms of Section 23(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002, represents a critical intervention to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive response to the devastating consequences.

Furthermore, the incidents precipitated extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property and severely disrupted essential services, including water and electricity supply.

The declaration will facilitate the following key actions:

Mobilisation of all organs of state to augment support measures and implement contingency protocols, thereby mitigating the disaster’s impact within our communities.
Implementation of a multi-sectoral relief and rehabilitation plan, guaranteeing that affected communities throughout KZN receive the requisite assistance for recovery.

Through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the department will continue coordinating KZN’s response in close collaboration with the NDMC.

“We wish to reassure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that the department will work diligently with the NDMC, municipalities, and all pertinent stakeholders to ensure the efficient coordination of response and recovery efforts. Our unwavering commitment lies in providing support and assistance to all affected communities, and in rebuilding robust and resilient infrastructure,” Buthelezi said.

He also said further rainfall is expected next week and residents should pay attention to warnings from the South African Weather Service and stay alert.

In the NDMC circular on the classification of national disaster issued earlier this week, NDMC head Dr Elias Sithole said severe weather events were experienced from February 16 as predicted by the South African Weather Service resulting in disruptive rains, thunderstorms, floods and strong winds, causing significant impact in KZN, Free State, Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga and Gauteng, led to the loss of life, damage to property, infrastructure and the environment, and the disruption of basic services.

Emanating from the analysis of the information received, the occurrence was classified as a national disaster by the NDMC – head within KZN, Free State, Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces.

The classification of a national disaster therefore gives effect to the following:

a) It’s a formal determination that a disaster occurred and assigns primary responsibility for the coordination and management of the disaster to the National Executive;

b) Enables organs of state in the other spheres of government to assist the spheres having primary responsibility to deal with the disaster and its consequences;

c) Enables affected municipalities, provincial and national departments to reallocate funds from own applicable grants to augment the resources for intervention measures as per Section 19 of the Division of Revenue Act (DORA); and

d) Enables support to affected organs of state through augmentation of resources from the Disaster Response Grants, in case grant conditions as set in the grant frameworks are met and funds are available.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za