The government has distributed more than R372-million to 36 municipalities in the country’s various provinces as aid to help them fix infrastructure that was ravaged by floods.
This was announced by the national department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (COGTA) on Tuesday.
COGTA Minister Thembi Nkadimeng addressed a media briefing in Hlobane, Vryheid, in KwaZulu-Natal. She said that in the fiscal year 2023/2024, the National Treasury has approved an allocation of R1.844-billion. The money is to address the lingering effects of disasters across multiple provinces. These include the Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng.
Floods in various provinces
Nkadimeng was providing an update on the details of the funds released to municipalities for disaster interventions. This follows various floods that hit KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape since April 2022.
“These funds are earmarked to facilitate urgent repairs, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of infrastructure. With a focus on ensuring access to clean, reliable water and essential government facilities for affected communities.
“Following the allocation approval, the National Treasury last month (March 2024) released an amount of R372-million. This is from the Municipal Disaster Response Grant (MDRG) for flood intervention measures in 36 municipalities.”
She said in the distribution of funds, the following allocations have been approved:
Eastern Cape:
Ndlambe Local Municipality: nine projects totalling R11,250,000
Makana Local Municipality: five projects totalling R9,200,000
Senqu Local Municipality: three projects totalling R14,266,000
Winnie Madikizela Local Municipality: five projects totalling R19,190,000
Kouga Local Municipality: four projects totalling R10,550,000
Elundini Local Municipality: three projects totalling R12,307,000
Great Kei Local Municipality: seven projects totalling R17,420,000
Free State:
Mantsopa Local Municipality: eight projects totaling R14,084,000
Metsi Maholo Local Municipality: two projects totalling R1,000,000
Masilonyana Local Municipality: four projects totalling R2,629,000
Mangaung Local Municipality: eight projects totalling R13,150,000
Moqhaka Local Municipality: one project totalling R11,000,000
Dihlabeng Local Municipality: six projects totalling R16,853,000
KwaZulu-Natal:
Dannhauser Local Municipality: three projects totalling R6,500,000
Alfred Duma Local Municipality: 10 projects totalling R11,775,000
Mpofana Local Municipality: eight projects totalling R10,000,000
Ugu District Municipality: 11 projects totalling R9,950,000
Ndwendwe Local Municipality: two projects totalling R10,450,000
Umdoni Local Municipality: seven projects totalling R9,400,000
Umlalazi Local Municipality: five projects totalling R8,500,000
Mtubatuba Local Municipality: 10 projects totalling R9,868,000
Maphumulo Local Municipality: nine projects totalling R11,700,000
Mpumalanga:
Msukaligwa Local Municipality: three projects totalling R14,500,000
Thabathsweu Local Municipality: nine projects totalling R14,680,000
Emalahleni Local Municipality: three projects totaling R13,000,000
Emakhazeni Local Municipality: four projects totalling R15,000,000
Limpopo:
Modimolle Mookgophong Local Municipality: 12 projects totalling R11,022,000
Mogalakwena Local Municipality: four projects totalling R11,200,000
Lephalale Local Municipality: Two projects totalling R7,600,000
North West:
Mahikeng Local Municipality: One project totalling R14,382,000
Naledi Local Municipality: One project totalling R13,205,000
Western Cape:
Hessequa Local Municipality: One project totalling R5,180,000
Knysna Local Municipality: One project totalling R2,600,000
Drakenstein Local Municipality: Four projects totalling R435,000
Swartland Local Municipality: Four projects totalling R350,000
Cederberg Local Municipality: 20 projects totalling R7,805,000
Stringent reporting and compliance
Nkadimeng said this brings the total to 199 projects across the 36 municipalities, with a grand total allocation of R372,001,000.
She said the allocation of disaster grants comes with stringent reporting and compliance measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of funds.
“Organs of state are mandated to submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the NDMC. Covering both financial and non-financial aspects of their disaster management initiatives,” said Nkadimeng.
