DROUGHT not a national disaster yet – government

The African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) has urged government to declare the widespread drought a national disaster. Neo Masithela, chairperson of AFASA, warned that the drought was spreading across the country and could not be viewed as “a looming disaster” because South Africa was “already living in a disaster”.

The DA also called on government to stop “playing politics” and address the current drought crisis. “This drought is spreading like wildfire across all provinces; our national government has failed to take the steps that are necessary to ensure that we avoid a crisis,” said DA MP Thandeka Mbabama.

She said the DA had repeatedly requested the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to address the current drought crisis and declare it a national disaster.

Another DA MP, Annette Steyn, explained that in terms of Section 27 of the Disaster Management Act, the minister may declare a national state of disaster by notice in the Government Gazette if existing legislation and contingency arrangements did not adequately provide for the national executive to deal effectively with the disaster. She added that the monetary amount made available for drought relief would be determined by surveys conducted in the affected areas.

“However, the problem is that South Africa’s contingency fund is earmarked for bailouts for SAA and Eskom, and not drought.”

While COGTA acknowledged that some areas had been affected by drought, it did not, however, depict the national picture, according to Lungi Mtshali, spokesperson of COGTA.

According to Mtshali, the department’s Disaster Management Centre was continuously monitoring the situation. “I am sure that when the situation worsens, the department will declare it a national disaster.” He added that in the meantime, various interventions would be implemented to assist drought- stricken provinces. – Jeandré van der Walt