The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The full scale of the Eastern Cape’s disaster management crisis is becoming clearer by the day, with the official death toll from last week’s devastating floods now at 90, including 30 children.

At least 2,686 residents are now homeless. Schools and hospitals have sustained heavy damage. Thousands are sleeping in halls and shelters, and large parts of the O.R. Tambo and Amathole Districts remain without reliable water or electricity.

Premier Oscar Mabuyane admitted that his government was caught unprepared. In his own words, “We are always found paralysed and not knowing what to do.”

The Premier has continued to call for additional resources while ignoring the fact that his administration has consistently stripped Disaster Management of funding and authority.

This failure began long before the floods. It is the result of consistent political choices that have left the province exposed to disaster with no capacity to respond.

The Democratic Alliance highlighted the severe under-resourcing and dysfunction within provincial Disaster Management years ago. These warnings have been repeatedly ignored, despite the ever-increasing risks of flooding and other natural disasters affecting the province.

Of the R1.165 billion allocated to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for the 2025/26 financial year, only R11 million was set aside for the Provincial Disaster Management programme.

The numbers speak for themselves. They reflect a leadership that does not prioritise disaster readiness, even in the face of escalating climate-related risks.

Less than 14 per cent of municipalities in the province meet the minimum legal standards for disaster readiness. In practice, this means that the vast majority of local governments lack the necessary systems, personnel, and plans to respond effectively when disaster strikes.

The central hub, which is supposed to act as oversight to ensure compliance, is understaffed and underfunded.

Key posts within the Disaster Management programme remain vacant. There is no Chief Director in place. There is no Director responsible for fire brigade services. There is no Director overseeing disaster risk reduction and capacity. These vacancies have a zero-budget allocation for this financial year, according to the department’s operational plan.

When the floods hit, this lack of preparation cost lives. It displaced thousands. It damaged infrastructure that will now take months to restore.

The Democratic Alliance is continuing its efforts to support those affected. Our public representatives and volunteers are on the ground. Collection points for blankets, clothing, and non-perishable food have been established across the province. Anyone who would like to assist can contact the DA via WhatsApp on 062 253 1746 to find their nearest drop-off site.

This is not the first time the province has been caught unprepared, and unless action is taken, it will not be the last.

The Eastern Cape cannot afford another cycle of neglect. The people deserve a disaster management system that is prepared, funded, and accountable. The time for excuses has passed.

Issued by Dr Vicky Knoetze MPL - DA Leader of the Official Opposition in the Eastern Cape Legislature