Issued by: Department of Constitutional Development
MEDIA STATEMENT BY MINISTER M V MOOSA ON THE MEETING OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT (IMC) ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT HELD ON 20 JANUARY 1999 AT THE UNION BUILDINGS, PRETORIA
The members of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Disaster Management (IMC) met this morning to discuss the latest series of floods and tornadoes that occurred during the past week over a widespread area of the country. These disasters are thought to be caused by the continuing effects of the La Nina phenomenon that results in the rapid cooling of sea surface temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean causing abnormal weather conditions and above average rainfall expected to continue until at least March 1999.
The Ministers received reports from the Weather Bureau, the South African Police Services, the South African National Defence Force as well as the Interim Disaster Management Centre (IDMC) that indicated that the tornado event that struck the towns of Mount Ayliff and Ntabankulu and surrounding areas was the worst to date.
The IDMC is a national, intergovernmental coordinating mechanism, located in the Department of Constitutional Development, that manages the prevention, mitigation and relief of disasters between national departments, provinces and affected communities as well as the relevant emergency services.
The Ministers commended the emergency services as well as the Red Cross and the local and provincial governments for their prompt response in taking care of the most urgent needs of the people in the areas, despite the extremely difficult terrain. The area is mountainous and the roads are muddy, making access even by 4x4 vehicles difficult. While additional helicopters have been dispatched to the area, flying in the misty mountainous areas is also dangerous.
The IMC decided that the most urgent task, after the provision of emergency aid to the affected people, is to restore all public buildings and services. These include repairs to schools, police stations, health facilities, an old age home, as well the restoration of water, electricity and telephone services.
The Ministers have also decided that all affected national line function government departments should, in conjunction with their provincial counterparts, take responsibility for the restoration of property and services that fall under their jurisdiction as an urgent priority. To this end a task team, led by Mr Zam Titus, the Director-General of the Department of Constitutional Development, is in the process of drafting reports on the full extent of the damage to public and private property.
President Nelson Mandela has also requested the chair of the IMC, Minister Mohammed Valli Moosa and the Minister of Welfare and Population Development, Minister Geraldine Frazer-Moleketi to join their Provincial counterparts in a visit of the area tomorrow (Thursday 21 January).
The MEC for Local Government and Housing of the Eastern Cape Province has already visited the area. A Joint Operations Centre of all the relevant role-players has been established.
After a proper assessment of the damage has been completed, the IMC will be in a position to decide whether a recommendation should be made to the President to have the affected areas around Mount Ayliff and Ntabankulu declared a Disaster Area in terms of the Fundraising Act 1978 which is administered by the Department of Welfare.
The Interim Disaster Management Centre, housed in the Department of Constitutional Development, is monitoring the situation on a 24-hour basis and is assisting with coordination of relief.
The IMC was attended by:
Minister Mohammed Valli Moosa - Minister of Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development (IMC Chairperson) Minister Trevor Manual Minister of Finance Minister Kader Asmal Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Pallo Jordan Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Stella Sigcau Minister of Public Enterprises Minister Derek Hanekom Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Nkosazana Zuma Minister of Health
Officials from the Department of Constitutional Development, the Department of Welfare, the Weather Bureau, the South African Police Services were also present.
Issued by the Ministry of Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development on 20 January 1999
Contact: Fred Barron on: 082 4567 545