The South African government has declared a national state of disaster in response to the floods that have killed over 440 people and left a trail of destruction in KwaZulu-Natal province.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the decision, which would be gazetted by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma this week, was taken following a special cabinet session on Saturday.
“This is to ensure an effective response across all spheres of government to the extreme weather events that have occurred in several parts of the country,” Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation on Monday night.
He said 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.”
The declaration of the national state of disaster would enable the mobilisation of more resources, capabilities and technical expertise in providing relief, recovery and rehabilitation to affected communities, Ramaphosa said.
A total of 443 people have so far been killed following the floods in KwaZulu-Natal, with another 48 people still unaccounted for.
About 4,000 homes have been completely destroyed and over 8,300 homes have been partially damaged, while more than 40,000 people have been displaced, Ramaphosa said.
Over 600 schools have been destroyed as were 66 health care facilities in the province.
Ramaphosa said the cost of the floods to business is still to be determined, but noted that one of the worst affected was Durban port, which is one of Africa’s busiest shipping terminals and is a vital conduit for trade between South Africa and the rest of the world.
`JN/APA