KZN floods: Premier must call for state of disaster to be declared
12 April 2022
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) today calls on Premier Sihle Zikalala and his CoGTA MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, to immediately commence with the process of having the province declared a state of disaster. This as torrential rains continue to cause wide-spread destruction and loss of life.
While disaster management in the province is on high alert, it is regrettably no secret that many of KZN’s municipalities have limited resources and that disaster management in many towns are just not up to this latest challenge.
Given the current conditions, the DA urges the Premier to recommend to the national disaster centre that KZN be declared a disaster zone. This will allow for, amongst others;
- A centralised disaster management system, with SAPS, Metro and other emergency services working from a centralised point to ensure better co-ordination on the ground
- The immediate release of funding, not only for the extensive repair work that is going to be needed but also to assist those citizens who require emergency relief
- The President to deploy the SANDF and other national agencies to assist and;
- Assistance to be requested from other provinces when it comes to emergency services or other areas that need help.