Western Cape weather damage will cost over R9 billion to repair, says Winde
Winde says the cost of the damage and losses is expected to exceed what the province can currently afford.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde announced during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the cost of repairing damage from recent severe weather events will exceed R9.979 billion, surpassing the province's financial capacity. The Western Cape Government has submitted a funding application to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) for assistance.
The cabinet also approved using R480 million from the province's 2026-27 Unforeseen and Unavoidable Reserve to cover financial commitments to various government departments. Winde emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the province cannot wait for national government processes to finalize disaster relief. He stressed the need to act decisively and act on preventative measures against the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change.
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