South Africa declares national state of disaster

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has declared a national disaster in South Africa after weeks of severe weather battered multiple provinces.

Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre, said the widespread impact of heavy rain, flooding, snowfall, and strong winds justified a coordinated national response.

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“In terms of Section 23(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, I classified the impact caused by this severe weather system in the provinces listed above as a National Disaster,” said Sithole.

Severe flooding, loss of life, and extensive damage to infrastructure and property have hit the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal the hardest.

Heavy toll on lives and infrastructure

The Eastern Cape has been hit the hardest, with at least 90 people losing their lives and over 2 600 residents left homeless.

In KwaZulu-Natal, floods destroyed 58 homes and partially damaged 137 more, affecting more than 960 people.

Government buildings, roads, hospitals, and schools have also suffered major damage.

The national disaster declaration enables the government to mobilize additional resources, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), to assist with relief and recovery efforts.

Authorities will keep the state of disaster in place until they officially lift it.

A pattern of recurring disasters

President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the growing frequency of such disasters, warning that these severe weather events are becoming South Africa’s “new reality.”

KwaZulu-Natal, in particular, has suffered repeated devastation in recent years – most notably the April 2022 floods, which killed over 400 people and caused R17 billion in damages.

The trend continued into 2024 with another R3 billion in flood damages, followed by snowstorms, and has worsened again in 2025.

Criminal exploitation

As flood-hit communities work to rebuild, criminals have reportedly targeted both victims and aid workers.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that a so-called “water mafia” has been threatening relief workers trying to deliver clean drinking water.

Police have also responded to reports of theft from the homes of deceased flood victims, stepping in to protect vulnerable households.

“The SAPS has been deployed to ensure the safety of property and prevent further trauma to grieving families,” said Mchunu.

The national disaster classification paves the way for a more robust, coordinated response to both the humanitarian crisis and the growing security threats in its wake.