“The province will ask the national government to declare a disaster again after last week’s severe storms caused major damage across the Western Cape’’, declared the Premier of Western Cape, Alan Winde.
The storms wrecked roads, water systems, power networks and killed 11 people.
This comes just two weeks after another disaster declaration for the Western Cape and other provinces due to earlier storms in the southern Cape. Winde told media in Cape Town on Monday that the province likely can’t cover the costs alone.
He noted that after nearly one billion rand in damage last time, only R300 million was recovered. He will meet with Minister Hlabisa on Wednesday to discuss support.
Under South Africa’s Disaster Management Act, the National Disaster Management Centre decides if a disaster is handled locally, provincially, or nationally based on the damage and resources needed. A declaration lets government shift budgets, access relief funds, and start emergency recovery.
The Western Cape government says ,talks with national authorities will continue as damage assessments wrap up.
Sub-Editor : Mathibeng Cheryll
