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Another state of disaster declared in South Africa WRITTEN BY LUKE FRASER
A state of disaster has been declared in KwaZulu-Natal, with South Africa’s second most populated province hit by yet another severe flood.
As reported by News24, a state of disaster was officially declared in KZN following weather events hitting the province in the latter half of February.
This results in roughly R3.1 billion in damages. Rainfall, floods and powerful winds not only destroyed infrastructure like electricity and water but also led to the deaths of 22 people.
The provincial department of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) will mobilise all organs of state to augment support measures, limiting the impact of the disaster on communities.
COGTA MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said that his department, via the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, would coordinate the province’s response.
Speaking with Newzroom Afrika, National Disaster Management Head Elias Sithole said that the declaration will allow the provincial departments and municipalities to reprioritise their budgets to repair infrastructure.
He added that the national executive will also assist via the intergovernmental committee on disaster management, which includes Ministers, Mayors and Premiers.
The intergovernmental committee will receive reports to show how repairs are progressing and the potential ways to fix bottlenecks.
Financial constraints often limit municipalities’ and provinces’ ability to respond to disasters. Sithole added that the declaration can allow these entities to access funds budgeted for other sources to address these issues.
A province feeling the pain
Floods in KZN have become commonplace in South Africa, with the province severely hit in April 2022, which led to over 400 deaths and R17 billion worth of damages.
The damages across the province from the flood were widespread, with Transnet forced to close the Durban port and Toyota forced to close its manufacturing plant in the area.
The 2022 floods were another blow for the province, which took on the brunt of the July 2021 unrest following the arrest of former President and now MK leader Jacob Zuma.
The July unrest led to roughly R50 billion worth of damages, with over 300 people losing their lives.
Floods and other natural disasters also continue to plague the country, with a state of disaster for flooding previously declared in the province in April 2024.
In September 2024, the province was also hit by a severe snowstorm, which forced the closure of parts of the N3 highway, one of the busiest roads in the nation.
In response to the heightened disasters, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli said that the province is looking to improve its response to natural disasters and climate change.
Despite the several issues facing KZN, it is still seen as one of the nation’s most promising provinces.
Nigel Ward, executive vice president of Manufacturing and Support at Toyota South Africa, previously said that the government and business should work together to tackle the areas three biggest problems – energy, logistics and security.
The challenges facing the province have still not dampened the residential property market, with sentiment improving in Durban North ahead of several major investments.
This includes the R2 billion Club Med Development and the R20 billion expansion of the Sibaya precinct by Devmco.
SOURCE:Another state of disaster declared in South Africa – BusinessTech
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