The Eastern Cape province will receive the largest share of the disaster grants from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) after being severely affected by the June floods and heavy snowfalls.
This was revealed by Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa during a media briefing on July 7.
Hlabisa stated that the funds released to municipalities and provinces followed the devastating weather in the “severely affected” Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Free State.
“Out of these, 103 were in the Eastern Cape, three in KwaZulu-Natal, and one in the Western Cape. The government urges communities in affected areas to remain alert and follow early warning advisories issued by the South African Weather Service, as a critical measure to safeguard lives, property, and livelihoods,” he said.
In accordance with the applicable legislation, the following municipal disaster recovery grants will be transferred on August 28, Hlabisa added.
“The total allocations for the 2025/2026 financial year will amount to R1.3 billion, consisting of the July 2025 Provincial Response Grant of R151.3 million, the Municipal Response Grant of R395 million, and the August 2025 Recovery of R708.9 million, of which R504 million is allocated to the Eastern Cape,” Hlabisa said.
O.R. Tambo District Municipality received R30 million, Amathole District Municipality R20 million, while Chris Hani District Municipality received R21 million.
In the O.R. Tambo district, local municipalities were allocated funds as follows:
• King Sabata Dalindyebo: R39.2 million
• Nyandeni: R35.3 million
• Mhlontlo: R25 million
• Port St Johns: R26 million
• Ingquza Hill: R8 million
Hlabisa expressed his department’s appreciation for efforts made to use the grants appropriately despite several key areas of concern being identified.
“These include poor infrastructure planning and execution, inadequate workmanship, diversion or alteration of the scope of work, delays in appointing service providers that result in municipalities underperforming, and the misallocation of funds to operational matters instead of the designated projects.”
Hlabisa noted a significant lack of monitoring and contract management by implementing agents.
Projects were being under-designed, he said, which made the infrastructure vulnerable to further damage. Other local municipalities (LMs) receiving substantial amounts included Umzimvubu with R27 million, Matatiele with R25 million, and Sakhisizwe with R36 million.
Intsika Yethu was allocated R30 million, Raymond Mhlaba R27 million, Emalahleni R32 million, and Enoch Mgijima R32 million among the LMs in the province.
The allocation of disaster grants is governed by rigorous reporting and compliance measures designed to ensure complete transparency and accountability in the use of funds.
It is crucial to understand that any organs of state failing to adhere to the disaster grants frameworks would be denied allocations, he said.
He added that state organs are required to submit comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC).
“Recognising the critical need for technical expertise to accurately assess damages and lead reconstruction efforts, the NDMC forges strong collaborations with the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA) and various sector departments. By utilising MISA’s engineering resources, we ensure a thorough assessment and verification of damages, as well as essential technical advice required for funding approval,” the minister said.
Cogta is undertaking a thorough evaluation and refinement of the disaster management systems to strengthen intergovernmental relations, enhance response times, and improve damage assessments.
“We recognise the frustrations that communities often face during these trying times, and we are committed to addressing the significant challenges and uncertainties that may arise. Our dedication to improving systems and processes for disaster response reflects our understanding of the vital role that effective support plays in assisting communities during crises,” Hlabisa concluded.
