SA Gov
President Cyril Ramaphosa had declared a National State of Disaster to address the devastating flooding in KwaZulu Natal that claimed at least 443 lives with many more people missing.
In an address to the nation on Monday night, he announced the mobilisation of massive state resources to KwaZulu Natal to assist the province to rebuild from the disaster, where the damage will run into billions of rands.
Ramaphosa said the Government would be responding to this disaster in three phases, firstly focusing on immediate humanitarian relief, and ensuring that all affected persons were safe, and their basic needs are met.
Phase two will focus on stabilisation and recovery of rehousing people who lost their homes and the provision of services, while phase three will focus on reconstruction and rebuilding.
The President also acknowledged support for parts of the Eastern Cape that were also hard hit by heavy rainfall, particularly in the Port St Johns area. He said one fatality was reported.
He also acknowledged the devastating fire in Langa in Cape Town which razed 300 homes and left more than 1000 people homeless.
In announcing the massive national intervention in KwaZulu Natal, President Ramaphosa warned that there would be no tolerance for corruption or fraud in the process, saying checks and balances will be in place.
Ramaphosa said that the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has said that R1 billion was immediately available and will be approaching Parliament for the appropriation of additional resources.
The President said the floods were a tragic reminder of the increasing frequency of extreme weather conditions as a result of climate change.
