Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul has welcomed the national government's classification of recent severe weather as a national disaster. The move follows heavy rainfall and flooding that killed three people and damaged infrastructure across several districts.
The classification covers damage in the John Taolo Gaetsewe, ZF Mgcawu and Frances Baard districts. Eighty-five villages have been affected, along with 26 bridges and 26 schools that have disrupted lessons for 13,000 learners.
Premier Saul’s spokesperson Naledi Gaosekwe said the declaration will strengthen coordinated response efforts. “This classification will strengthen the coordinated intergovernmental response across all affected districts and enable standardized reporting and monitoring,” Gaosekwe said.
The National Disaster Management Centre confirmed the classification covers severe weather from 4 May across six provinces. The South African Weather Service has issued warnings for continued damaging winds and rain in the Northern Cape and Free State.
