The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, Mr Phillemon Mapulane, would like to urge South Africans to pay special attention to weather warnings and to take all the necessary steps to avoid loss of property and life.
“Evidence of rapid climate change, including more frequent and intense weather systems and greater climate variability, is already upon us, as shown by ongoing changes in average rainfall patterns, with some parts of our country experiencing heavy rainfall and extreme weather events. Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape are the most affected by the current extreme weather conditions, which are only expected to relent over the weekend.”
“As the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, we would like to take this opportunity to remind fellow South Africans that our White Paper on Climate Change has sounded these warnings, stating that rainfall is expected to become more variable, with an increase of extreme events such as flooding and droughts.”
“We further call upon the relevant departments to take appropriate actions to mitigate the impact of these extreme weather conditions which often result in natural disasters”, Mr Mapulane said.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Faith Kwaza
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8062
Cell: 081 377 0686
Email: kfwaza@parliament.gov.za
