______________________________________________________________________

MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND

TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, MINISTER HLABISA, ON DISASTER GRANTS
SANDTON ICC, GAUTENG
7 JULY 2025
______________________________________________________________________

Programme Director

Members of the various media houses

Distinguished attendees and

Fellow South Africans

Good Day

Please allow me to first appreciate all of you for availing yourselves as we provide an
update on the details of the funds released to municipalities and provinces for disaster
interventions following the various snowfall and floods that occurred in the provinces
of KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and the severely affected Eastern Cape. In the month
of June, we have unfortunately lost a total of 107 lives as a result of disaster. Out of
these, 103 were in the Eastern Cape, 3 in KwaZulu-Natal and 1 in the Western Cape.

The government urges communities in affected areas to remain alert and follow early
warning advisories issued by the South African Weather Service, as a critical measure
to safeguard lives, property, and livelihoods.

The Disaster Management Act highlights the importance of self-funding for disaster
risk management, requiring state organisations to utilise their own resources for
disaster interventions. In instances where public infrastructure is damaged, the
relevant state organ bears the responsibility for financing the repair costs.

1
The overarching goal is to prevent and mitigate disaster risks, necessitating the
implementation of effective disaster management practices and the development of
comprehensive contingency plans.

With regards to disaster grants, adherence to Section 12 of the Division of Revenue

Act (DORA) is crucial. The funds disbursed must be utilised exclusively for sanctioned
purposes and may not be redirected to unrelated expenditures, such as employee
travel. The Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant is contingent upon specific conditions
that municipalities are required to follow, including compliance with various
regulations, such as the DORA and the Municipal Financial Management Act.

After the National Disaster Management Centre transfers funds, municipalities are
expected to use these resources promptly. Recipients of the funds must follow
established reporting protocols and use the required templates to ensure
accountability in their financial disclosures.

Let me now move to the various allocations:

In accordance with applicable legislation, business plans, and approved processes,

the following municipal disaster response grants will be transferred in phases during
this month. The Department is currently awaiting transfer dates from the National
Treasury. (Preliminary dates are the 11th and 18th July)

LIMPOPO PROVINCE AMOUNT

1. Thabazimbi LM R23 000 000

2. Makhuduthamaga R9 160 000

3. Ephraim Mogale R6 500 000

4. Baphalaborwa LM R10 000 000

5. Fetakgomo LM R5 000 000

6. Maruleng LM R10 000 000

TOTAL: R58 660 000

2
NORTH-WEST PROVINCE AMOUNT

1. Ratlou LM R9 500 000

2. Moretele LM R15 000 000

3. JB Marks LM R16 000 000
4. Matlosana LM R10 000 000
TOTAL R50 500 000

MPUMALANGA PROVINCE AMOUNT

1. Thembisile Hani R5 600 000, in addition to the Response

Grant in March 2025
2. Thaba Chweu R 8 000 000, in addition to the R21 million
received for response and recovery, 2024/25
TOTAL: R13 600 000

EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE AMOUNT

1. OR Tambo District R30 000 000

2. Amathole R20 000 000

TOTAL: R50 000 000

KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCE: Note: The AMOUNT

majority of the municipalities received
the Response or Recovery Grant and
Municipal Disaster Response Grant in
March 2025 and have not started
implementing the projects.
1. Umzumbe LM R730,135, in addition to R25million that was
granted in March 2025 (25 million)
2. Big Five Hlabisa R13 500 000
3. Umsinga, R7 000 000, in addition to the grant received
in 2024/25
4. uMvoti R5 000 000, in addition to the R6.4 million
received in March 2025
5. Mthonjaneni R8 000 000

6. Ulundi R6 200 000, in addition to the R5.5 million

received in March 2025
7. Nquthu R9 300 000, in addition to R5.1 million
received in March 2025
8. eDumbe R10 000 000, in addition to R6.8 million in
received in March 2025
9. Abaqulusi R12 000 000, in addition to R5.4 million in
received March 2025
10. uThukela R7 000 000 The municipality received R 6.9
million in March 2025

3
 11. Inkosi Langalibalele R11 000 000

12. eThekwini R9 000 000, in addition to the R8 million and

R1.4billion previously allocated to the
municipality
13. Newcastle R11 000 000, in addition to the recovery and
response grants allocated in March 2025.
14. Zululand R13 000 000, in addition to the R9 million
received in March 2025
15. Mandeni R5 000 000, in addition to the R5.1 million
Response Grant received in March 2025
16. eNdumeni R4 300 000
17. Mfolozi R7 000 000
TOTAL: R139 300 000

We appreciate the efforts made to utilise the grants appropriately; however, we have
identified several key areas of concern regarding their implementation. These include
poor infrastructure planning and execution, inadequate workmanship, diversion or
alteration of the scope of work, delays in appointing service providers that lead to
municipalities underperforming, and the misallocation of funds to operational matters
instead of the designated projects. Additionally, there is a significant lack of monitoring
and contract management by implementing agents, as well as projects being under-
designed, which makes the infrastructure vulnerable to further damage. Furthermore,
funding that reverts to the national fiscus exposes communities to risks, and there is
a concerning trend of non-reporting and a lack of accountability for the funding
allocated to provinces and municipalities.

In accordance with the applicable legislation, the following municipal disaster recovery
grants will be transferred on August 28, 2025.

LIMPOPO PROVINCE AMOUNT

1. Makhado LM R 6 006 000

2. Blouberg LM R15 717 000

3. Polokwane LM R4 765 000

TOTAL R26 488 000

MPUMALANGA PROVINCE AMOUNT

4
1. Chief Albert Luthuli LM R11 863 000

2. Mkhondo LM R16 968 000

3. Nkomazi LM R44 047 000

4. Bushbuckridge LM R11 052 000

5. City of Mbombela LM R18 105 000

TOTAL R102 035 000

KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCE AMOUNT

1. Impendlle LM R15,558 million. Notably, we are

aware that most projects have
stalled, and the municipality is
unable to pay salaries.

2. Msunduzi LM R13 214million, in addition to the

recovery grant received in March this
year

3. Okhahlamba LM R8 858million

4. uMsinga LM R6 015million

5. Newcastle LM R6 891million

6. Emadlangeni LM R6 181million

7. Amajuba DM R10 011million, in addition to the

recovery grant received in March
8. Jozini LM R9 704million, notably, the
municipality is unable to pay salaries.

R76 432million
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE AMOUNT

1. DR Beyers Naude LM R5 005million

2. Blue Crane Route LM R22 880miilion

3. Mbhashe LM R24 167million

4. Mnquma LM R6 472million

5. Amahlathi LM R19 145million

6. Ngqushwa LM R15 256million

7. Raymond Mhlaba LM R27 416miilon

8. Inxuba Yethemba LM R8 429million

5
 9. Intsika Yethu LM R30 032million

10. Emalahleni LM R32 072million

11. DR AB Xuma LM R18 917million

12. Sakhisizwe LM R35 516million

13. Enoch Mgijima LM R32 029million

14. Chris Hani DM R20 743million

15. Ngquza Hill R8 114million

16. Port St Johns LM R25 635million

17. Nyandeni LM R35 260million

18. Mhlontlo LM R25 037million

19. King Sabatha Dalindyebo LM R39 188million

20. Matatiele LM R24 543million

21.Umzimvubu LM R26 848million

22. Ntabankulu LM R21 315million

TOTAL R504 019million

The total allocations for the 2025/2026 FY will be R 1,255,3 billion, made up as follows:

July 2025: Provincial Response Grant: R151.3 million

Municipal Response Grant R395 million

August 2025: Recovery R708 974 million (R504million of which goes to the Eastern
Cape.

Programme director, the allocation of disaster grants is governed by rigorous reporting

and compliance measures designed to ensure absolute transparency and
accountability in the use of funds. It is crucial to understand that any organs of state
failing to adhere to the disaster grants frameworks will be denied allocations. We insist
that state organs submit comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the
NDMC, covering every financial and non-financial aspect of their disaster
management initiatives.

6
Recognising the critical need for technical expertise to accurately assess damages
and lead reconstruction efforts, the NDMC forges strong collaborations with the
Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA) and various sector departments. By
utilising MISA's engineering resources, we ensure a thorough assessment and
verification of damages, alongside essential technical advice required for funding
approval.

Moreover, to ensure that projects are implemented effectively and adhere to the
highest quality standards, the NDMC, Provincial Disaster Management Centres
(PDMCs), MISA, and relevant sector departments conduct regular and diligent site
visits to the funded projects. Under the leadership of the Head of Disaster
Management Centres, these visits present an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders
to engage directly, evaluate project progress, and uphold our unwavering commitment
to the principle of "building back better." Through these concerted and strategic efforts,
we are determined to ensure that projects are completed efficiently, enabling affected
communities to receive the essential support they need to recover and thrive.

As I conclude programme director, we are actively working to enhance response and

recovery operations in the wake of disasters. We recognise the frustrations that
communities often face during these trying times, and we are committed to addressing
the significant challenges and uncertainties that can arise.

Our dedication to improving systems and processes for disaster response reflects our
understanding of the vital role that effective support plays in assisting communities
during crises.

As part of this commitment, we are undertaking a thorough evaluation and refinement

of our disaster management systems. This review of the national disaster
management system is intended to strengthen intergovernmental relations, enhance
response times, and improve damage assessments. Additionally, we are collaborating
closely with the South African Weather Service and other stakeholders to enhance our
early warning systems, ensuring that communities receive timely and accurate
information.

I thank you

7
8