The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) , Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the classification of a National Disaster following severe weather conditions and widespread flooding across parts of the country.
The classification was effected by the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) Dr Elias Sithole, after consultations with various organs of state and Heads of Provincial Disaster Management Centres through the National Joint Flood Coordinating Committee.
Hlabisa said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of adverse weather conditions experienced since late November 2025.
“The severe weather, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and flooding, affected Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and North West, resulting in loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation, displacement of communities, disruption to schooling and agricultural activities, and closures in parts of the Kruger National Park.
Mpumalanga alone recorded 20 fatalities, with further rainfall warnings still in place,” said Hlabisa.
The classification follows an oversight visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Limpopo on Thursday, while Hlabisa undertook an oversight visit to Mpumalanga on Saturday, to assess flood-affected areas and witness first-hand the scale of devastation.
Hlabisa commended the provincial leadership for its swift and coordinated response, emphasising that decisive leadership is critical in safeguarding lives and strengthening community resilience during disasters.
He reiterated the urgent need for intervention, including the mobilisation of adequate resources to support relief and recovery efforts.
