In a firm directive, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has announced that municipalities which failed to utilize or account for substantial disaster relief funds allocated earlier this year will be cut off from future allocations.
The Minister’s statement comes as the South African Weather Service issues renewed warnings for heavy rainfall in provinces including Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Despite alerts, disaster management teams report that some citizens are disregarding safety protocols by driving through flooded streams.
While providing an update on the current weather situation, Minister Hlabisa reported that, thankfully, no fatalities have been recorded so far. He confirmed incidents of affected roads and low-lying bridges but no severe damage to date. The Minister urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid crossing flooded rivers.
The conversation shifted to the critical issue of funding transparency. Minister Hlabisa revealed that his department had released over R2.1 billion to municipalities in two tranches, one in January and another in March. He expressed concern that some municipalities have not yet spent these funds.
“I am very open to transparency,” Minister Hlabisa stated, laying out a new enforcement policy. “We have said it up front that the municipalities that were given money in January and given money in March, if they have not used that money up to now or if they cannot account how the money was used… we will not allocate further money on disaster management.”
To ensure communities do not suffer due to municipal failures, the Minister outlined an alternative intervention strategy. Instead of channeling new funds through non-compliant municipalities, the national government will commission service providers directly to repair damage and provide necessary services.
The Minister also highlighted a forthcoming R4 billion disaster allocation announced by the Finance Minister, which will be directed to provinces including KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. He emphasized that accountability for previous funds will be a prerequisite for accessing new resources.
Beyond financial accountability, Minister Hlabisa detailed ongoing efforts to improve disaster response. He affirmed a “leave no one behind” approach, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, the disabled, and women during emergencies.
Looking forward, the Minister revealed plans to integrate advanced technology, including drones, to improve response times and victim discovery in disaster zones. A reviewed national disaster response model, a joint project with the Department of Defence, is slated for presentation to the Cabinet next year to create a more effective and technologically advanced disaster management system.