The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has declared a national disaster in South Africa following weeks of devastating weather that has battered several provinces.
Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre, said the scale and severity of the adverse conditions – marked by snowfall, heavy rain, floods and damaging winds – warranted 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.
The worst-affected areas include the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, where severe flooding, loss of life, and large-scale damage to infrastructure and property have been reported.
Heavy toll on lives and infrastructure
The Eastern Cape has suffered the most, with at least 90 lives lost and more than 2 600 residents left homeless.
In KwaZulu-Natal, 58 homes were destroyed and 137 others partially damaged, impacting over 960 people.
Government buildings, roads, hospitals and schools have also sustained significant damage.
The declaration allows the national government to deploy broader resources, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF), to support relief and recovery efforts.
The state of disaster will remain in effect until lifted by the authorities.
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 struggle to rebuild, there have also been disturbing reports of criminal activity targeting victims and aid providers.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that a so-called “water mafia” has intimidated relief workers attempting to deliver clean drinking water.
There have also been reports of theft from the homes of deceased flood victims, prompting police to step 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.
Fair decision to declare a national state of disaster in South Africa?
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