Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has extended the National State of Disaster to 2022

The Ministry stated that the National State of Disaster was extended “due to the effect of severe weather events which was originally proclaimed on 18 April 2022” in a Government Gazette published on Monday.

The statement read: “The extension considers the need to continue enhancing the existing contingency preparations done by organs of state to reduce and resolve the impact of severe weather phenomena on affected populations and infrastructure.”

According to the Ministry, government is collaborating with numerous social partners to move affected communities from a state of humanitarian emergency to stabilisation and rehabilitation.

Floods wrecked havoc in KwaZulu-Natal, affecting a total of 85 280 people, leaving thousands of people homeless in five districts and the eThekwini Municipality, with 461 fatalities.

The bad weather caused damage to almost 4,000 homes, forcing thousands of people to relocate.

Additionally impacted were the provinces of the Eastern Cape, North West, and Free State.

According to KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, 50 people were hurt and 6 895 people were rendered homeless in June. In total, 27 069 households were impacted, with 8 584 completely demolished and 13 536 partially ruined homes, according to him.