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The Gauteng Disaster Management Centre is closed and non-operational. The electricity supply has been disconnected due to unpaid bills. This is putting lives and livestock in danger with the recent outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

This centre is unable to perform its statutory duties and to respond to any disaster affecting the province.

This was discovered by the Democratic Alliance (DA) during a recent oversight inspection at the centre.

The failure to ensure the functionality of this crucial facility highlights a lack of readiness within the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to respond to any disaster.

This is despite the Gauteng MEC for COGTA, Jacob Mamabolo, stating that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is operational and currently has a staff complement of 24. He was responding to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre's mandate is to monitor looming disasters, assess severity and risk, alert municipalities and national authorities, activate contingency plans, advise on disaster declarations, and coordinate enforcement measures, including restrictions on the movement of animals and goods.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC Mamabolo must explain why this facility is closed, why electricity has not been paid and how Gauteng intends to enforce movement controls without a functioning disaster centre.

The DA Gauteng therefore demands the immediate reopening and powering of the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the formal activation of provincial disaster management protocols, consideration of declaring FMD a provincial disaster, coordinated enforcement at auctions, feedlots, and transport routes, and transparent communication with Gauteng farmers and industry bodies.

Yes, this can be done! A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would immediately ensure that the debt to Eskom is paid, and electricity is restored to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.

Issued by Bronwynn Engebrecht MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development