PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a National State of Disaster following widespread flooding in KwaZulu-Natal.
The floods have thus far claimed more than 400 lives.
Ramaphosa said Cabinet met on Sunday and has decided to declare the National State of Disaster to enable the mobilisation of more resources to affected areas.
“The primary responsibility to coordinate and manage the disaster is assigned to the national sphere of government, working closely together with provincial governments and municipalities,” said Ramaphosa.
The economic cost of the heavy rains and floods in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape will run into billions of rands.
Ramaphosa said several national government departments have already been working with their provincial and local counterparts to ensure an effective response in the allocation of financial resources and technical expertise to the emergency.
“I applaud and thank the many individuals and organisations that have taken the initiative to provide humanitarian assistance to those most affected,” said Ramaphosa.
“This work is vital and we must all do everything within our means to assist.”
Ramaphosa said the Solidarity Fund will set up a separate bank account for the Flood Disaster. The Solidarity Fund, which was set up to respond to the economic impact of Covid-19, has agreed to assist with humanitarian and other forms of relief.
“This account can be used by South African and foreign donors to contribute to relief efforts,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said that the Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has said that R1 billion is immediately available for relief aid.
Parliament will be approached for the appropriation of additional resources, he said.
Ramaphosa warned that the resources must benefit the intended recipients.
“There can be no room for corruption, mismanagement or fraud of any sort,” he said, adding that various stakeholders, including professional bodies, business and the Auditor-General, will form an oversight structure to ensure all funds disbursed to respond to this disaster are properly accounted for and that the state receives value for money.” Said Ramaphosa.
“We are determined that there must be transparency and accountability as the projects are costed and implemented, as well as how resources are deployed from the beginning.”
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