Question NW3468 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
19 October 2015 - NW3468
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Which areas did his department declare as disaster areas in terms of the Disaster Management Act, Act 57 of 2002, as a result of the recent and/or current drought; (2) Did his department receive submissions for any other areas to also be declared disaster areas; if so, (a) which areas did these submissions cover and (b) what was the reason for each specified area not being declared a disaster area? NW4129E
Reply:
- No. In terms of the Disaster Management Act, 2002, the Minister only has the power to declare a national state of disaster. I have not declared any national state of disaster as a result of the recent or current drought.
2. (a) Kindly note that the law empowers the relevant authorities to declare events as disasters and not areas as “disaster areas”. Yes, submissions have been received from four provinces to declare drought disasters. The Premiers in all four provinces, being KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State and North West, have declared disasters in terms of Section 41 of the Disaster Management Act No. 57 of 2002, in the following areas.
KwaZulu-Natal Province:
DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY |
LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
Ugu |
Umdoni, Umzumbe, Vulamehlo, and Umziwabantu |
Umgungundlovu |
Umshwathi, Richmond, Mpofana and Mkhambathini |
uThukela |
Emnambithi/Ladysmith, Indaka, Umtshezi and Imbambazane |
Umzinyathi |
Umvoti, Nquthu, and Msinga |
Zululand |
Ulundi and Nongoma |
Umkhanyakude |
Umhlabuyalingana, Jozini, Big Five False Bay, Hlabisa and Mtubatuba |
UThungulu |
Ntambanana, Umlalazi, Nkandla and Mfolozi |
iLembe |
Maphumulo, Ndwedwe and KwaDukuza |
Harry Gwala |
Greater Kokstad, Ubuhlebezwe and KwaSani |
Limpopo Province:
NAME OF DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY |
AFFECTED LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES |
Mopani |
Maruleng, Letaba and Giyani |
Waterberg |
Mookgopong, Thabazimbi, Lephalale, Bela-Bela and Mogalakwena |
Sekhukhune |
Tubatse |
Capricorn |
Aganang and Blouberg |
Free State Province:
NAME OF DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY |
AFFECTED LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES |
Thabo Mofutsanyane |
Mantsopa, Setsoto, Dihlabeng, Nketoana, Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela |
Fezile Dabi |
Moqhaka, Ngwathe, Metsimaholo and Mafube |
Gariep |
Letsemeng, Kopanong, Mohokare and Naledi |
Lejelweputswa |
Masilonyana, Tokologo, Tswelopele, Matjhabeng and Nala |
North West Province:
NAME OF DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY |
AFFECTED LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES |
Bojanala |
Moretele, Madibeng and Moses Kotane |
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati |
Ganyesa and Bloemhof |
Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
Ventersdorp and Tlokwe |
Ngaka Modiri Molema |
Ramotshere Moiloa and Ratlou |
(b) Disasters have not been declared in areas that have not been affected by drought as determined by the provincial assessments.
The NDMC is currently busy with the classification processes in North West Province and Limpopo and still awaiting detailed drought reports from Free State Province.
KwaZulu-Natal declared a state of provincial disaster in July 2014 and is currently implementing its recovery plan with support from the Department of Water and Sanitation and National Disaster Management Centre.