Notice No. 638

20 July 2021

GG 44876

Department of Co-operative Governance

I, Dr Mmaphaka Tau, in my capacity as the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre, after having deliberations with sector departments and Provincial Disaster Management Centres, and after assessing the magnitude and severity of the drought occurring in parts of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and some pockets within other provinces, and after having considered the information and recommendations received from the respective Provincial Disaster Management Centres, hereby give notice that on 20 July 2021, in terms of Section 23(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002), classified the drought as a national disaster.

Emanating from the classification of this occurrence as a national disaster, in terms of section 26 read with section 23(8) of the Act, the primary responsibility to coordinate and manage of this disaster, in terms of existing legislation and contingency arrangements, is designated to the national executive.

I hereby, in terms of Section 15(2)(aA) of the Act, read with section 23(8), call upon the organs of state to further strengthen support to existing structures to implement contingency arrangements and ensure that measures are put in place to enable the national executive to effectively deal with the effects of this disaster.

Also emanating from this classification, and the assistance provided by organs of state in terms of section 23(8) and sections 15(2)(aA) of the Act, organs of state are required to prepare and submit reports, as required by the National Disaster Management Centre and in the case of a declaration, report to the respective intergovernmental forums as outlined in section 24(4) - (8) of the Act.

Dr Mmaphaka Tau

Head: National Disaster Management Centre

Date: 20.07.2021