- The KZN provincial executive has called for a provincial state of disaster classification following the civil unrest.
- Premier Sihle Zikalala said provincial sector departments incurred R1.5 billion in damages.
- He said the provincial state of disaster would help re-prioritise funds.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala says the provincial executive has called for the declaration of a provincial state of disaster following unrest in the province two weeks ago.
"The executive council which serves as the provincial cabinet engaged and took a decision to declare a provincial state of disaster, this is not just because of the private sector losses, but severe damage was also done to public infrastructure.
The call comes following civil unrest in both KZN and Gauteng, that claimed over 300 lives and cost billions.
KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT DECLARES STATE OF DISASTER FOLLOWING CIVIL UNREST
— KZN Provincial Gov (@kzngov) July 29, 2021
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has declared a provincial state of disaster in the province due to the magnitude of the damage caused by the recent civil unrest. pic.twitter.com/XZWDBIy5tP
"We recommended to submit for the classification to national disaster management centre for a declaration of provincial state of disaster," Zikalala said.
He was speaking in the Bluff where the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry facilitated a handover of vehicles to the South African National Defence Force, sponsored on loan by organised business.
The state of disaster comes after the PEC received a detailed progress report after most state organs conducted its preliminary assessments to determine the magnitude of the damages and cost implications.
Zikalala said the current estimated costs of damages and relief required for the sector departments was R1.5 billion and municipal damages required R47.7 million in order to be addressed.
"The interim financial implications is R1 581 760 293.33," he said.
The current estimated costs of damages and relief required for the sector departments is R1 534 026 832,96 whereas the municipal damages require R47 733 460,37. The interim financial implications is R1 581 760 293,33.
— KZN Provincial Gov (@kzngov) July 29, 2021
Zikalala said the financial implications for the damages and recovery costs were still not final.
"It was resolved that with the work done so far, the situation is beyond the provincial and municipal capacity to deal with the cost of public riots and unrest as reported."
He said the state of disaster would help move money more easily.
KZN suffered the brunt of the effects of the unrest which peaked between 12 and 14 July; that saw mass lawlessness in the form of looting and criminality including murder, attempted murder, theft and arson.