KZN’s R227.7 Million Disaster Fund: Ladysmith Set to Receive R50 Million

Harsh weather devastated KwaZulu-Natal from December 2024 to March 2025, causing widespread destruction across numerous towns in the province. In response, R227.7 million has been allocated to support these affected areas, with Ladysmith receiving the largest share.

According to reports, the Alfred Duma Municipality is set to obtain R50 million to address the damage inflicted by the prolonged severe conditions.

Commenting on the funding designated for Ladysmith and other towns such as Dannhauser and Vryheid, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN CoGTA) stated that MEC Buthelezi welcomed the allocation of R227.7 million to KZN municipalities. This was announced by the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, on Monday, 31 March 2025.

“These funds are designated to support municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal in their response to the severe weather incidents which resulted in fatalities and widespread damage across the province, with over 30 lives lost and over 10,000 individuals affected between December 2024 and March 2025,” said KZN CoGTA.

Moreover, the provincial department noted that National CoGTA, through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), disbursed most of these funds between February and March 2025.

KZN Cogta explained that this allocation will strengthen efforts to aid impacted communities and repair infrastructure.

MEC Buthelezi expressed confidence that Minister Hlabisa’s financial intervention will enable municipalities and departments to launch projects to assist affected areas. These initiatives include repairing roads, restoring electricity, water, and sanitation systems, and upgrading stormwater management.

“These funds, provided through the Disaster Response Grant, will be crucial in delivering necessary aid to those impacted by these events and in addressing the resultant challenges within our communities,” stated MEC Buthelezi. He further stressed the need for transparent and accountable use of these resources to ensure they benefit those most in need, promising strict oversight to guarantee their intended application.

The Disaster Response Grant has been distributed as follows: 

·         Alfred Duma Local (Ladysmith) Municipality: R50 million 

·         Ndwedwe Local Municipality: R25 million 

·         Mtubatuba Local Municipality: R19.7 million 

·         Mpofana Local Municipality: R17.9 million 

·         Umlalazi Local Municipality: R14.2 million 

·         Maphumulo Local Municipality: R13.3 million 

·         Dannhauser Local Municipality: R11.2 million 

·         Zululand District Municipality: R9 million 

·         uThukela District Municipality: R6.9 million 

·         Edumbe Local Municipality: R6.8 million

·         uMzinyathi District Municipality: R6.5 million 

·         Mvoti Local Municipality: R6.4 million 

·         Ulundi Local Municipality: R5.5 million 

·         Abaqulusi (Vryheid) Local Municipality: R5.4 million 

·         Mfolozi Local Municipality: R5.3 million 

·         uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality: R5.2 million 

·         Nquthu Local Municipality: R5.1 million 

·         Mandeni Local Municipality: R5.1 million 

·         Nkandla Local Municipality: R5 million 

·         Mthonjaneni Local Municipality: R4.2 million 

At a media briefing in Pretoria, the Minister highlighted the need for prompt and effective action in crises.

“Our priority is to ensure that communities recover as quickly as possible. These funds will enable municipalities to repair damaged infrastructure, provide emergency relief, and implement long-term resilience strategies,” said Minister Hlabisa.

He also emphasised accountability in managing these funds. “In the past, we have had municipalities given certain budgets that they would use just a fraction of it to whatever the project was intended for, and the rest of the money they would use it for other things which were not part of the funds allocated. We will be following the money at every corner, to ensure that following the objectives of the allocation, the funds are spent as such and should the money not be spent accordingly, consequence management will be the order of the day.”

As these funds are deployed to restore infrastructure in KZN following the recent natural disasters that struck the province, do you beleive the money will be used wisely?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.