DA calls on COGTA Minister to act swiftly amid KZN flood crisis
The DA has called on the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to immediately intervene due to the lack of implementation by the KwaZulu-Natal government regarding a basic risk assessment plan followed by contingency plans.
This after heavy rainfall has once again caused flooding, particularly affecting areas in the Ladysmith municipality.
To date, the death toll stands at 21, with rescuers continuing their search for missing people.
The Al-Imaad Foundation has been assisting personnel on the ground.
Spokesperson Irfaan Ahmed says the wet weather conditions have hampered the massive search mission, which involves around 60 members of the country's K9 unit.
He says it was heartbreaking when they recovered the bodies of a father and son.
"I have been a resident of Ladysmith as well. We had previously floods hit Ladysmith about two years back, but it was not to such devastation where we lost many lives and it took us many days to locate those bodies, and it is the worst to hit Ladysmith thus far."
The DA's Jacques Smalle says the ANC-led province has failed to develop and mitigate against high-risk flooding areas.
"Their lack of understanding of municipal water systems, sources of flooding, and the impact of pluvial flooding is once again affecting the lives and livelihoods of residents.
"Questions raised in Parliament earlier this year by the DA had highlighted that the department has no knowledge of the level of expertise at its disposal, thus preventing appropriate and effective action when disaster strikes.
"It's essential to address these shortcomings promptly to ensure the safety and security of the affected communities in the face of natural disasters."
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