Northern Cape premier, Dr Zamani Saul has welcomed national government’s classification of severe weather conditions in some part of the province a National Disaster.
The John Taolo Gaetsewe, ZF Mgcawu and Frances Baard District Municipalities have seen extensive damage to infrastructure due to heavy rainfall which led to flooding.
The premier’s spokesperson Naledi Gaosekwe says the declaration will help to enhance assistance programmes that are already under way.
“This classification will strengthen the coordinated intergovernmental response across all affected districts and enable standardized reporting and monitoring. Where required, the declaration will allow for the use of extraordinary measures permitted under the Act to expedite response, relief and recovery interventions. The provincial government will also strengthen the enforcement of by-laws, especially in rural areas where communities have been allocated land in low-lying areas and along flood lines. This work will also address land invasions in vulnerable areas. The South African Weather Service has issued a warning that parts of the province will experience severe weather patterns from today. Government urges all community members to remain vigilant and to take every flood warning seriously.”
