Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Andries Nel speech on rainfall conditions affect the country, lead to loss of life
In the past two weeks, large parts of South Africa have been subject to heavy rainfall, particularly the provinces of North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Regrettably, the present disaster events have resulted in 32 fatalities.
These include 25 drownings, twelve of which occurred in Mpumalanga, five in North West, four in Limpopo, one in KwaZulu-Natal and three in Gauteng. Six fatalities were also caused by lightning and one person died due to a collapsed wall in KwaZulu-Natal.
A number of people have been rescued from the roofs of their vehicles and several were trapped in their homes. Rescue efforts continue in the search for these three missing people.
On behalf of Minister Tsenoli and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs we extend our deep condolences to all those who have lost loved ones as a result of this adverse weather.
Municipalities most affected
The municipalities most affected include Madibeng Local Municipality in Bojanala District Municipality (North West), Lephalale Local Municipality in Waterberg District Municipality (Limpopo), Nkomazi Local Municipality in Ehlanzeni District Municipality (Mpumalanga). There has been considerable damage to roads and bridges, houses, and water pumps, pipes and other water infrastructure. In some areas communities are unable to access workplaces, health services, shelter and schools.
At this time, provincial reports indicate that 3 000 people are still displaced in the Lephalale Local Municipality due to the high water levels. In other provinces, the water has subsided and the affected community members have returned to their homes.
Role of NMDC
To safeguard the lives of people in affected communities the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) (through the NATJOINT Structure), has activated the relevant sectors to assist with aerial support, search and rescue and humanitarian relief. This is largely provided by municipalities and provinces in collaboration with the Provincial Joints Structures.
Rescue and search services remain on high alert. All other services, including aerial support, were always on standby but as of 17 March 2014 they will stand down and be on normal standby.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs would like to thank all emergency services personnel who have worked hard to contain the disaster and move people to safety. We thank also the many community members whose voluntary efforts have helped to feed and house those who have been affected by this much higher than average rainfall.
Declaration of local disaster
To date only Limpopo has indicated its intention to declare a state of local disaster in the Waterberg District Municipality due to the magnitude of the disaster there. Municipalities or provinces that want to declare a disaster may qualify for national financial support.
The process to be followed to declare a disaster must include:
a) Consultations between the affected provincial and national sector departments to unlock and secure additional resources to assist in mitigating or responding to the situation at hand.
b) Consultations between the province and affected municipalities to provide an impact analysis of the circumstances (flooding in this case) and to determine the resources available which can be utilised to mitigate and respond to the situation.
c) The re-direction of funds by the affected municipalities to respond to the needs of the communities.
d) Identification of funding from various programmes by the province and redirecting these towards supplementing response initiatives made by the affected municipalities.
e) The declaration of a local state of disaster by the Council of the affected municipalities in the event that the resources available are insufficient to deal with the situation.
f) The declaration of a state of disaster in the province by the Premier in consultation with the Members of the Executive Committee, should the province not be in a position to deal with the effects of the occurrence utilising their own resources. This is in the event that district municipalities cannot cope with the occurrence, or the magnitude of the disaster is such that it must be managed at a provincial level.
g) The classification of the event by the National Disaster Management Centre following the submission. This must be followed by a formal request for national support.
h) A damage assessment must be conducted by the National Disaster Management Centre which will determine emergency projects for which funding will be sourced from the emergency disaster relief grant. Post disaster recovery and rehabilitation projects will be funded following a post disaster damage assessment verification process.
In conclusion, the NDMC remains in close contact with the Department of Water Affairs in order to continue issuing early warning alerts with regard to dam levels and river flows.
It is also in close contact with the South African Weather Services with regard to all weather forecasting alerts. All relevant Joint Operation Centres will also continue to be activated until an assurance by the South African Weather Service that no further above normal rainfalls are expected across the country.
Communities living in flood-prone areas are urged to take extra precautions, and motorists are also urged to remain vigilant while driving under wet conditions, to minimise accidents on the roads. We urge the public to regularly follow weather forecasts in the media and to contact their local authorities for assistance.
For more information about current disaster management contact:
Tsakani Baloyi (Ms)
Cell: 082 052 0892
