By Richard Khumalo – DA Councillor Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality
Note to editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Richard Khumalo, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Eleanor Quinta and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Ana Motaung
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Maluti-a-Phofung (MaP) is taking urgent action to address the municipality’s failure in disaster management. We will hold the municipality accountable for its legal obligation to establish a fully functional disaster management system to ensure the safety of our community.
The current Disaster Management function, housed under the Fire and Emergency Services Department and led by the Chief Fire Officer, is critically underresourced and cannot respond effectively to disasters.
During the Public Safety, Transport, and Protection Services Portfolio Committee meeting on 29 January 2025, the Chief Fire Officer tabled a departmental report highlighting these severe deficiencies.
The Disaster Management Amendment Act 16 of 2015, amending Section 43 of Act 57 of 2002, mandates that local municipalities establish disaster management capacity. This legislation requires municipalities like MaP to develop a disaster management plan, allocate sufficient resources, and establish a dedicated disaster management team or department. However, MaP has failed to meet these legal obligations.
The consequences of this failure are clear: our community remains highly vulnerable to disasters, and the municipality is ill-equipped to respond effectively in times of crisis. This negligence not only endangers lives but also undermines the overall safety and resilience of the municipality.
The DA demands immediate action to resolve the disaster management crisis in MaP. We will continue to apply pressure on the municipality to ensure compliance with the law and to fight for the safety and well-being of our residents.
The people of MaP deserve a government that prioritises disaster preparedness and community protection.