Ramaphosa vows to protect public purse during flood relief
President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to ensure checks and balances are in place to safeguard the public purse as government ramps up its relief efforts in the three provinces devastated by recent floods.
KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State are still coming to grips with the trail of destruction left by torrential rains last week.
More than 430 lives were lost while more than R17 billion in damages to infrastructure was recorded.
In the wake of the floods, Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster vowing his administration would go all out in recovery efforts.
This includes sourcing additional funds from Treasury to rebuild.
On Tuesday, Ramaphosa addressed a joint sitting of Parliament where he mapped out his administration's response to the floods.
"All the areas affected by flooding will require significant commitment of resources to recover from this disaster. We will need to mobilise funds within a fiscal environment that is severely constrained," Ramaphosa told MPs.
"We have to support to displaced households and rebuild roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure while at the same time sustaining expenditure measures in support of the reconstruction and recovery of our economy."
Despite assurances from government, there have been some concerns from various corners about the likelihood of corruption, wasteful and fruitless expenditure of the disaster funds.
Ramaphosa admitted the lack of trust in public officials is warranted.
"This shows us just how tired the people of South Africa have become of corruption.
"It is a stern reminder to all of government and business providing goods and services that the people of South Africa will not stand for acts of self-enrichment at the expense of those that have already lost."
Ramaphosa added several measures would also be in place to strengthen oversight and accountability.
Listen to Ramaphosa below:
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