Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development | Western Cape Government

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Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development

7 February 2018

6 February 2018 Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell Clarification on disaster funding.

Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, has noted comments made this morning relating to a perceived slow spending of drought relief funding in the Western Cape.

The comments are unfortunate and may lead to certain misperceptions I would like to clarify. These are the facts of the matter:
The province applied for a provincial disaster declaration in November 2015. This was approved by the National Government 19 months later in May 2017. By August 2017 the National Department announced the following funding only had been granted for disaster relief, along with strict instructions on the allocations thereof:

  •  R40 million towards agriculture for livestock feed.
  • R20 million to the City of Cape Town to assist in drilling into the aquifers only.
  • R14 million for relief projects in only two other municipalities, Bitou and Theewaterskloof. Currently 44% of the total amount of R74 million has been spent but most of the work has in fact been done. 

In many instances contractor invoices are still to be paid, or expected to be received soon. In lieu of funding from National Government, the Provincial Government has already made several cuts and adjustments to its own budgets in order to secure funding for ongoing disaster relief efforts across the Western Cape. We will engage our national colleagues in this regard and seek to clarify the matter with them going forward. We remain available to the National Minister at any time to engage on the matter and look forward to his continued support in dealing with this disaster moving forward. 

ENDS.

Media Enquiries: 

James-Brent Styan Spokesperson: Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Tel: 021 483 2820
Cell: 084 583 1670
Email: James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za