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Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa announces the allocations for disaster disbursed to provinces.
The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department has disbursed R1.4 billion across 60 municipalities in five provinces affected by natural disasters for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The country has in recent years experienced severe natural disasters, mostly heavy rains, thunderstorms and flooding.
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have been the hardest hit.
The funds, allocated through the National Disaster Management Centre, follow the classification of these events as national disasters.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, Cogta Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa says the funds are meant for immediate relief and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
“Through the National Disaster Management Centre, Cogta has for the month of February and March 2025 already despairs the amount of R1.4 billion to the municipalities. This money is intended as it has been transferred to these municipalities to immediately bring relief,” says Hlabisa.
Video: Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa announces provincial disaster funding allocations
Hlabisa says 40 people have died due to natural disasters since December last year.
Heavy rains, floods, thunderstorms, and strong winds have caused extensive damage to infrastructure and homes, claiming lives in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, and Gauteng.
Hlabisa says KwaZulu-Natal recorded the most deaths.
“The 40 deaths are for the period from December holidays up to now, covering the entire country. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest number, although the latest figures are unknown. But previously, the province stood at 24 deaths over this period, from the December holidays up to the end of March,” says Hlabisa.
