Africa-Press – South-Africa. Opposition parties have called on KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala to declare a state of disaster in the province hit hard by floods and landslides.
The torrential rains continue to cause widespread destruction across the province and, so far, more than 40 people have lost their lives.
According to DA MPL Martin Meyer, there was “little doubt” that poor service delivery in many municipalities worsened the effects of the flooding.
READ | KZN floods claim 45 lives with the death toll likely to rise – Hlomuka
“This includes the failure to keep stormwater drains cleared, maintain roads and even ensure proper street lighting to help drivers in these difficult conditions. The tragedy is that if these areas had been prioritised, much of the damage we are seeing may have been minimised. Instead, years of neglect and incompetence are threatening the property and lives of our citizens,” he said.
Meyer has called on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka to take proactive steps and provide on-the-ground assistance to local municipalities.
“They must also roll up their sleeves and provide the necessary support now to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Provincial ANC spokesperson Nhlakanipho Ntombela said party leaders would ensure government services were brought closer to affected communities.
“Undoubtedly, the recent severe weather patterns are the biggest threat to human development and are becoming the defining challenge for the 21st century.
“The reality is that such heavy rains accompanied by floods continue to leave a trail of destruction behind, with thousands of families trying to recover from the devastating impact caused the outbreak of Covid-19, even more vulnerable,” he said.
READ | KZN floods: ‘We didn’t expect that much rain,” says weather service
Ntombela said they had asked their deployees in government to double their efforts to assist vulnerable members of society.
“In addition, we are seeing in this province a breakdown of agricultural systems and the destruction of much needed socio-economic infrastructure as a result of floods.”
In a statement, the EFF said it has become an annual reality every winter that people in KwaZulu-Natal were subjected to a tragic but predictable natural disaster in the form of floods.
READ | Two dead, two missing as heavy downpours wreak havoc in KwaZulu-Natal
“While natural disasters cannot be controlled, the extent of the devastation they wreak on lives and livelihoods can be managed. It is one of the basic mandates of the government to monitor weather services, and the possible impact such can have on people.
“It is an undeniable fact that those in government ought to predict such disasters, as is the case in most capable societies, and then implement adequate evacuation measures in time,” the party said.
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