The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the communities and farmers affected by the recent devastating floods throughout the province. However, serious concerns have been raised regarding the status and utilization of nearly R280 million allocated to assist farmers in the event of natural disasters.
In the 2025/26 financial year, Mpumalanga was allocated an additional R766.5 million through the Equitable Share. Of this amount, R351.2 million was specifically designated for disaster relief efforts, with R279.8 million earmarked for the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Land, Rural Development, and Agriculture through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). These funds were intended to support responses to the adverse effects of recent natural disasters, particularly those impacting the agricultural sector.
Following the declaration of a National Disaster on January 18, 2026, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture subsequently requested R165 million for flood-affected farmers. This request seems inconsistent with the existence of a disaster-related allocation that reportedly includes R279.8 million under CASP. “Given that funds were available and specifically designated for disaster response, it is only reasonable for the public to inquire: What has happened to the R351.2 million allocated for disaster relief, particularly the R279.8 million intended to support farmers impacted by these disasters?” said Tersia Marshall, MPL – DA Spokesperson for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs
In light of the January 2026 national disaster declaration, South Africans, particularly those in rural and farming communities, rightfully anticipated prompt and effective intervention. However, reports from farmers’ groups and affected stakeholders indicate that considerable additional funding is still being sought to address the same disaster-related impacts.
This situation necessitates immediate investigation through the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) accountability mechanisms, including transparent disclosures of expenditures, disbursement timelines, beneficiary support measures, and procurement decisions related to these disaster allocations.
The DA emphasizes that disaster response must be swift, effective, and focused on those most adversely affected, free from the influence of politically connected patronage networks. It must also be supported by verifiable reporting on spending and outcomes.
Disaster relief cannot become a conduit for unaccountable expenditures while flood victims and farmers remain without substantive support. Every rand allocated must be traceable, audited, and demonstrably linked to tangible recovery outcomes on the ground.
“The DA will raise urgent questions in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature regarding the utilization of the additional Equitable Share allocation and demand an immediate public expenditure report detailing all disaster response spending connected to both provincial allocations and any intergovernmental disaster funding streams received by the province,” concluded Tersia Marshall