News24 | Western Cape considers declaring state of disaster as severe weather conditions continue

Premier Alan Winde said the decision on whether to declare a state of disaster will be considered after assessing the impact of the ongoing storm. (Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images)

• The Western Cape government is considering declaring a state of disaster due to a severe storm that has hit the province.
• Premier Alan Winde said the decision will be considered after assessing the ongoing crisis.
• This came after the ANC in the province requested the declaration of a state of disaster.

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The Western Cape government says it is considering declaring a state of disaster as severe weather batters the province.

On Thursday, Premier Alan Winde told News24: “A state of disaster is obviously something we will look at, but we’re in the middle of this crisis. We have to first assess it, and we will do that as soon as we can.”

The call for a state of disaster to be declared came after the ANC in the province wrote a letter to Winde requesting it.

The premier said the province first had to estimate the damages and costs, and then go through the national processes of declaring a state of disaster, should it be necessary.

“We do this a lot, and of course, it is something that is at the forefront of my mind.

“We spoke about it in the Digicon yesterday [Wednesday]but we can only really take that decision as a cabinet once we’ve assessed the full damage of what’s happening. And, of course, there’s days of rain and severe weather still to come,” he added.

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A letter sent by the ANC’s provincial legislature leader, Khalid Sayed, stated the extreme weather had caused significant damage to homes, roads, and public infrastructure, leaving thousands of residents displaced and needing emergency help.

“Given the devastating impact of the ongoing heavy rain and storms, I ask you to declare a state of disaster under sections 41[1] of the State Management Act 57 of 2002.

“This will allow the provincial government to mobilise resources and take necessary actions to address the crisis, including empowering various NGOs which are already doing sterling work on the ground, the letter said.

Sayed added many rivers were at full capacity, increasing the risk of flooding.

“The storms have caused widespread disruption and damage, leaving communities in urgent need of assistance.”

The SA Weather Service upgraded the weather warning for Thursday from Level 6 to 8 for disruptive rainfall.

Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell’s spokesperson Wouter Kriel, told News24: “First, we have to deal with the current situation and keep people and property safe. Afterwards, we will do assessments and apply where necessary.”

Meanwhile, the provincial Department of Education said schools in the Overberg and Cape Winelands would remain closed on Friday.

The department added schools in other districts would reopen unless approved by the head of the department.

It said 217 schools across the province have now reported some form of damage to infrastructure or disruption.

Eighty-six schools are regarded as being seriously damaged, requiring urgent attention.