Firstly, in respect of disaster management, as you know there is a National Disaster Management Centre based in the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. It brings together several relevant departments. When there are floods or droughts or even snow, as happened recently, we engage with National Treasury about releasing funds and we do it through a collective effort.
Now, clearly, in the first instance, the resources and fund allocations from the National Disaster Management Centre and from the national fiscus must be targeted at the natural disasters that occur. But, clearly too, infrastructure is often severely damaged and the Mig has to be used, in part, to address this where it is appropriate and part of the integrated development plan, IDP, and so on. So, yes, we can draw on the Mig funds, but primarily it is a matter of getting the national fiscus to attend to the tasks involved in dealing with disasters.
We want to repeat that, given the scale of the disasters we've been having over the last three years or more - which is a sign, of course, of the climate challenges beginning to impact on us - we just don't have enough resources. Besides the two municipalities you referred to, there are many other municipalities throughout the country that are challenged in this way, and we simply don't have the resources.
Therefore, we're focusing on preventative measures and we are reviewing the Municipal Disaster Management Bill in order to take into account what we know about the possible impact of the environmental challenges that the whole world is coming to terms with. Thank you.
Particulars regarding alleged corruption in Matjabeng Municipality
75. Mr D V Bloem (Cope) asked the Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(1) Whether his department has been informed of any allegations of corruption in the Matjhabeng Municipality regarding funds which were spent in the 2009-10 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether his department has (a) conducted or will conduct any investigations into the matter and/or (b) taken or will take any action with regard to these allegations; if not, why not; if so, (i) what action will be or has been taken to ensure that the alleged involved employees are brought to justice, (ii) what engagement his department had with the provincial head in this regard, (iii) what amount of the municipality's budget was found to be wasteful and fruitless expenditure in the Auditor- General's report of the 2009-10 financial year, (iv) which of the alleged corrupt employees are still employed by the municipality and (v) what action has been taken against such employees?