Eastern Cape pledges financial accountability for R5bn flood fund
An amount of R5.18 billion is needed to repair flood-damaged infrastructure in the Eastern Cape.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams has committed to implementing internal controls to ensure transparent and accountable fund management.
The death toll of the devastating floods remain at 101 as search operations continue 16 days after the floods.
The Eastern Cape government has pledged to ensure proper management of funds allocated for flood victims amid recovery and reconstruction costs amounting to billions of rand.
During a media briefing in Mthatha on Thursday, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams said the provincial government would need R5.18 billion to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told the Portfolio Committee of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Tuesday that R5 billion was made available to assist the province.
But Godongwana warned against the misuse of the funds.
Said Williams: 'We have heard the call and/or concern from both ordinary citizens through social media platforms and commentators and journalists through mainstream media about our ability or a perceived lack of ability to ensure prudent financial management during this period.'
I wish to assure the people of our province and South Africa that we are committed to ensuring financial accountability. It is our responsibility as the province's leadership collective, both at provincial and local government, to ensure transparency and accuracy in financial records and reporting.
He added that as the province responded to the disaster, it would adhere to regulations, implement robust internal controls, and manage risks effectively.
'We will further ensure that we use the principles of the risk-adjusted strategy [which regulates financial management and procurement] to effectively and efficiently manage the expenditure of funds allocated to us,' Williams said.
He added the death toll was still at 101 on Thursday afternoon.
Search operations continue for missing people 16 days after the deadly floods.
'Some families have commenced with burials since last weekend. AVBOB pledged to store bodies and provide burial services and transportation of human remains,' said Williams.
He added from Thursday, 31 victims would be buried across the province, including two pupils from Jumba Senior Secondary School in Ngqeleni, while Nomonde Ntlabathi, who was an enrolled nursing assistant at Bedford Orthopaedic Hospital in Mthatha, and her three grandchildren would be buried in Centane on Saturday.
'Additionally, through the [provincial] Department of Education and Sassa [the SA Social Security Agency], the government provided financial assistance to the families to help them prepare for the funerals. We remain grateful to our social partners who provided groceries to the families,' said Williams.
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