The floods as a result of heavy downpours of rain in the Free State have exposed the inability of the provincial government to launch coordinated responses during disasters. Disasters include, among others, damaging floods, veld fires, sewage spills and droughts.

Currently residents of Kroonstad and surrounding areas are subjected to serious flooding with the resulting damage to roads and infrastructure. Last year, the devastating veld fires that ravaged the Free State destroyed grazing, infrastructure, and farm equipment and caused the deaths of thousands of livestock for which residents are still waiting for adequate support.

The Free State provincial disaster management centre was closed by the Department of Labour several years ago and the province has still not replaced it with a well-equipped and functional alternative. The Free State provincial government must learn from the best practices of a functional disaster management centre in the Western Cape that is able to coordinate fast and effective responses to disasters with the necessary resources such as technology, equipment and trained response teams.

Residents of the Free State require the provincial government and municipalities to respond adequately to assist them when disasters occur. Our residents in the Free State remain at risk due to dysfunctional municipalities and a lethargic and ineffective provincial government.

 

Issued by Roy Jankielsohn - DA Free State Premier Candidate