Severe storms in May caused R9.97 billion in damages in Western Cape, government takes action
The Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, announced a staggering R9.979 billion in damages from severe storms in May, prompting urgent funding requests to address critical recovery efforts.
A series of severe storms in May inflicted damages totaling R9.97 billion in the Western Cape, prompting the provincial government to take immediate action, as revealed by Premier Alan Winde during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Winde stated that the cost of repairs and recovery is projected to surpass the Western Cape Government's current financial capabilities, necessitating a reprioritisation of provincial budgets to fund critical recovery work.
The Western Cape Department of Local Government has submitted a funding request to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), via the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), in an attempt to bridge the financial gap for infrastructure repair and restoration. Additional correspondence has been made to request that the funding application be reviewed by the relevant National Treasury Committee under the national provisions for unforeseeable and unavoidable expenditures.
In response to the funding shortfall, the cabinet approved a financial commitment of R480 million from the province's 2026/27 Unforeseen and Unavoidable Reserve. Winde emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the province cannot afford to wait for lengthy disaster relief processes from the national government. He highlighted the province's robust financial management mechanisms and contingency reserve, which are now being utilized to address the immediate needs.
Winde assured that the allocated funding will enable departments to expedite response and recovery efforts, while the Western Cape Government awaits confirmation of further financial assistance from the NDMC. The funding allocation will continue to support critical interventions necessary to restore essential services and public infrastructure. He emphasized the magnitude of the disaster and the need for a multi-departmental, decisive approach to ensure that recovery efforts do not face delays.
Winde pledged to manage the funding process transparently and responsibly, stressing the importance of strengthening preventative measures in light of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change. Measures include cutting and maintaining firebreaks, clearing invasive alien vegetation from waterways, improving stormwater systems, and enhancing the maintenance of critical infrastructure.
Winde stressed that proactive measures are equally vital in mitigating the impact of future disasters.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
