Drought not a national disaster: Zuma
Government was not ready to declare the drought which has gripped a large part of the country a national disaster, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.
Answering questions in the National Assembly, Zuma said government was doing all it could to assist farmers and communities in the drought-affected provinces, but that only the North West, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State have so far been declared disaster areas.
“Government has declared the specific areas that are affected that they are now under the disaster and measures are being taken to those specific areas…because if people say its not enough that is their view…,” Zuma told MPs.
“It has not declared it as a national disaster. When that moment comes, it will certainly do so.”
Zuma said government had set aside money to help affected communities and farmers.
“Support to farms include the purchase of livestock feed, the transportation of feed and water sources such as drilling of boreholes for animal drinking….”
Funds were also being put aside to buy water tankers for municipalities to provide affected communities with water. - ANA
(File photo: Gallo Images)