KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala Photograph: Premier’s Office
KZN floods: Zikalala allays fears of relief funds being LOOTED
There have been concerns that the funds being allocated for KwaZulu-Natal following the devastating floods will be looted
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala Photograph: Premier’s Office
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Sihle Zikalala has assured South Africans that the funds being allocated by national government to assist the province in the wake of the deadly floods, will not be misused or stolen in any way.
The National Treasury has set aside a minimum of R1 billion for areas ravaged by the floods in the province, which is still recovering from the economic damage spurred by the July riots. There has been growing concern about the availing of funds possible giving rise to corruption once again, as was the case at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when government unduly awarded billions of rands worth of contracts for personal protective equipment (PPE).
More than 440 people have been killed in the KZN floods, while at least 63 people are missing.
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KZN FLOODS: RELIEF FUNDS WILL BE MONITORED – ZIKALALA
Premier Sihle Zikalala says all the funds and resources being pooled to aid KZN following the floods, will serve their intended purpose.
“We want to say without any equivocation that all the resources allocated for flood relief and the recovery and rebuilding process will be utilized in line with fiscal rectitude, accountability, transparency and openness. We want to emphasize the fact that, having leant the lessons of Covid-19, no amount of corruption, maladministration and fraud will be tolerated or associated with this province,” he said.
The premier says the funds allocated for the floods will be monitored and that those found to have looted will be dealt with accordingly.
“We want to assure our communities that all the funds will be used prudentially and that no one will be allowed to feast on the suffering of our people in order to line their pockets. Work of quality and value for money will be done. We have monitoring institutions that are in place including the Auditor-General. We will act decisively without fear, favour or prejudice on anyone taking advantage of the resources meant to assist the needy communities”
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala
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