The severe weather systems that battered the Western Cape in May have caused preliminary damage estimated at more than R9 billion, with the agriculture sector bearing the brunt of the financial impact.

Premier Alan Winde chaired a special provincial Cabinet meeting on Thursday, 11 June, to assess the magnitude and cost of the consecutive weather events that devastated communities across the province.

The overall cost of the damage currently stands at R9 099 211 941, though these figures remain preliminary and unverified. The province’s agriculture sector sustained damages exceeding R5.2 billion, whilst damage to transport infrastructure is estimated at just under R2 billion.

“Our province has had to endure many disasters. But the last two weather events were the worst in recent memory. While our government and other stakeholders have been working incredibly hard in responding to this disaster, we have a lot of hard work still ahead of us,” Winde said in his opening remarks.

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The human toll has been significant, with 11 fatalities reported and one person still missing. The disaster affected 231 029 people across the province, damaged 22 890 houses, and impacted over 230 roads requiring repairs and reconstruction.

Eskom has made progress in restoring electricity, with 95% of affected areas reconnected, though many residents in the hardest hit regions remain without power.

Cabinet noted that the scale of the damage exceeds provincial departments’ budgets and delivery capacity, requiring additional funding from national government.

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“Incredibly difficult decisions will have to be made going forward. National government will not be able to provide us with all the necessary funding. The Western Cape Government’s budget will have to be reprioritised to fund damage repairs,” Winde stated.

The Premier warned that building back stronger to anticipate future climate-related disasters would cost more than simple repairs, requiring national government and other entities to budget differently for disaster response.

The Western Cape Department of Local Government is coordinating a consolidated submission to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and National Disaster Management Centre. The provincial Minister of Local Government will correspond with his national counterpart, whilst the Premier will write directly to the President.

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