Cabinet to Announce Further Details on Knysna Disaster Relief Efforts

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 14 June 2017, Premier Helen Zille will chair the Western Cape Cabinet meeting to be held in Knysna.

The recent fires that engulfed the garden route and surrounding areas saw at least 10 000 people evacuated – the biggest disaster rescue operation in South Africa’s history.

Following the cabinet meeting in the morning, details will be announced on further relief efforts from the provincial government. Legislation allows the provincial government to reallocate funds from the Provincial Revenue Fund in exceptional circumstances.

Cabinet believes the recent fires, among other disasters, were truly extraordinary circumstances which required an extraordinary response.

Premier Zille will lead cabinet in a series of visits to various sites where humanitarian efforts are most required – starting with a visit to the Gift of the Givers operational centre, among others.

Several cabinet ministers have also been in Knysna and surrounding areas throughout the course of the last week to assess the extent of the damage and what is needed to rebuild for the future.

Meeting point details for media:

Date: Thursday, 14 June 2017
Time: 12:00
Venue: Meeting Point 1: Gift of the Givers Operational Centre – at Checkers Level Two Parking, Knysna
             Meeting Point 2: Fire Depot – at the Knysna High School grounds, Knysna