The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, in his capacity as the political head responsible for the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) yesterday conducted an assessment visit to areas affected by severe weather in the Cape Town Metro, Western Cape.

The Minister was joined by COGTA Deputy Minister Dr. Dickson Masemola in a meeting with the Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde, MEC of Local Government Anton Bredell, as well as the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis. In the meeting, the Minister was briefed on the extent of the continuing challenges caused by the present severe weather events and gathered a preliminary assessment of the capacity required to respond adequately to the plight of people affected.

The Minister and Deputy Minister were also briefed about the decision of the Provincial Government to declare a disaster (Provincial).

The severe weather has devastated many communities in some areas of the Metro. The heavy rains, snow, and gale-force winds left a trail of destruction, resulting in damage to property, infrastructure, and the environment, displacing hundreds of people, and disrupting basic services.

Due to the magnitude of the devastation, the Head of the NDMC, Dr. Elias Sithole, classified a disaster in terms of Section 23(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) on 12 July 2024. The decision to classify followed a comprehensive preliminary assessment of the damages. The Minister has called on all organs of state to join hands to ensure that those affected and impacted can be speedily assisted.

Accordingly, all state organs will provide additional support to existing institutions to implement contingency plans and ensure that measures are in place to enable the national government to deal with the disaster’s ramifications.

Reflecting on yesterday’s visit, Minister Hlabisa remarked that disasters are happening in rapid succession and that the Government must be proactive in risk management as well as in dealing with the aftermath.

He issued a clarion call to all South Africans to join hands in limiting the impact of disasters. The challenge of communities who don’t heed the early warning messages should be addressed, as it can save lives and livelihoods. During the visit to affected areas, it was clear that communities that have settled in high-risk low-lying, or flood-prone areas need to be moved to prevent repeated disasters.

Deputy Minister Dr. Dickson Masemola commended the province on the work done thus far and their understanding of what needs to go into crafting a working solution for the benefit of all communities.

The contingency plans and measures will be executed within the prescribed existing legislation and, where necessary, contingency arrangements will be developed to deal with the disaster.

The Minister urges all citizens in the affected areas to follow safety guidelines and directives from local authorities.

CoGTA remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders and role players in finding solutions to the unfolding challenges due to severe weather conditions.

Going forward, the NDMC will, in line with legislation, continue to support and work with the affected provinces to find the required resources that would enable proper assistance for communities.

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Issued by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs