COOPERATIVE Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged the national and provincial governments to urgently prioritise budgets to assist communities devastated by floods.
Hlabisa visited Mpumalanga on Saturday, 17 January, as part of the government's coordinated response to the severe weather conditions that have displaced families and destroyed infrastructure.
During his visit, he went to Msholozi, near White River, where a woman and a toddler tragically lost their lives earlier this week after being swept away by floods. He also visited Bushbuckridge, where one person died after a wall collapsed on him.
The minister emphasised that climate change is exacerbating disasters across the country and stressed the importance of a unified government response during times of crisis.
"Climate change is presenting challenges for our country, just as it is for the rest of the world. When our communities are confronted by disaster, the government must respond as one in the spirit of cooperative governance," said Hlabisa.
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He disclosed that the damage in Mpumalanga is estimated at approximately R2 billion, a cost the province cannot shoulder alone. Limpopo is also facing repair costs of about R1.7 billion, with reconstruction efforts expected to reach nearly R4 billion.
"The provinces cannot meet these costs alone," he said.
Hlabisa announced that an Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management meeting would be convened. This meeting will bring together ministers, premiers, MECs, mayors, and disaster management teams to plan and implement urgent interventions.
"All three spheres of government must reprioritise their budgets so that life can return to normal for affected communities, or even be better than before," he said.
