Hearings Provincial and Local Government Portfolio Committee 3031

Hearings: Provincial and Local Government Portfolio Committee 30/31 May 2006 Municipalities State or Readiness North West Province T. C. Watson-Thomas

Background/Introduction • Disasters in Province Fires (Large areas of inaccessible grassland) Floods Winds Dolomite Shift

Background/Introduction (2) • Contributing Factors Poverty Unemployment Large areas little population Poor building standards

Past 5 years • Major Floods 2000– Bojanala/Central 2006 – Taung/Naledi/Kagisano • Fires – 2000/2005 All four districts every year • Tornado – Taung 13/2/2004 • Hail – Taung 11/11/2003 • Drought – Bophirima/Central – 2004/5

Most Frequent Disasters • • Floods Fires Wind Drought

North West (1) Province DM Center Established Fully functional Head of Center appointed Forums established DM plans finilised North West Yes No No Yes No a) Staffing 1 x Manager 2 x Deputy Managers 1 x Senior Admin Officer 1 x Receptionist b) Budget – R 20 m on transfers to municipalities c) Resources Ø Provincial center established but not fully functional Ø Advisory forum established Ø Political forum not established

North West Province District Municipality DM Center Established Fully functional Head of Center appointed Forums established DM plans finilised Central No No No Southern Yes No No Bojanala Yes Yes No Bophirima Yes Yes No

Current Challenges and realities • No Funds for District and Local Municipalities to start Disaster Management • No commitment from councils and political leaders • Disaster seen as a money “Drain”

Recommendations • Start-up grants for all levels • Dedicated portioning of equitable share must be set aside for Fire and Disaster • Set structures to be developed for Provincial, District and Local Offices

THANK YOU