Parliamentary committee chairpersons have urged all spheres of government to strengthen coordination and accelerate response measures as severe weather conditions continue to affect parts of the country, warning that delays in assistance could put lives at risk.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Mr Nocks Seabi, and the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration (Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Water and Sanitation), Mxolisi Kaunda, said the government must act with greater urgency and alignment to ensure affected communities receive timely support.
The call comes as parts of the country experience severe weather conditions that have prompted disaster response measures under the Disaster Management Act.
Welcoming the formal classification of the situation as a national disaster, Kaunda said the designation must translate into practical impact on the ground.
“We welcome the classification of the recent weather events as a national disaster in terms of Section 23(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002),” he said.
“However, this classification should not merely be a matter of regulatory compliance, but an effective mechanism to unlock faster action and improved coordination.”
Seabi raised concerns about the responsiveness of emergency housing interventions, saying earlier weaknesses in coordination between national and municipal structures had previously slowed down delivery during crises.
“The committee had previously raised concerns that the fund was not agile enough to respond to emerging realities,” Seabi said.
“Centralisation and a lack of alignment between municipalities and national government resulted in delays caused by slow verification processes.”
He added that the current situation should serve as a test for whether recent reforms have improved the system’s ability to respond rapidly.
“We hope that the review will lead to a more responsive fund capable of assisting affected communities during this difficult period,” he said.
Both chairpersons stressed the importance of a coordinated “whole-of-government” approach, calling on key departments such as Home Affairs, Social Development, and Health to ensure services are accessible to affected communities.
They also urged residents in affected areas to follow official safety advisories as authorities work to manage the unfolding situation.
In addition, the committees appealed to private sector actors, non-governmental organisations and individuals to assist where possible, emphasising the importance of solidarity during emergencies.
“In the spirit of ubuntu, the Chairpersons further called on businesses, non-governmental organisations and individuals who are able to contribute assistance of any kind to support those affected by the severe weather conditions,” the statement read.
Government disaster response teams are expected to remain on high alert as weather conditions are monitored and emergency interventions continue across affected regions.
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