Mpumalanga must be declared a Disaster Area so that Insurance Companies can pay farmers for the fires ravaging parts of the province
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written a second letter to the Mpumalanga Government asking them to urgently declare the province a Disaster Area so that farmers and landowners who are affected by fires can get help.
In July this year, after several fires devastated many parts of the province, the DA wrote to the MEC of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Nompumelelo Hlophe, appealing to her to declare the province a Disaster Area for the agricultural community to get help. She responded positively and said she would ask Premier Mandla Ndlovu to declare the province a Disaster Area. But it looks like the Premier ignored the request. Even during his official Opening of the Mpumalanga Legislature on July 31, the Premier did not mention anything about declaring the province a Disaster Area.
Today (27 September 2024), the DA wrote another letter to MEC Hlophe asking her the same thing after another fire broke out last night in the Highveld Area around Ermelo.
“We reminded MEC Hlophe that the agricultural community and concerned citizens of Mpumalanga need urgent help and government intervention in the wake of these devastating fires that have swept across all municipal districts in the province in the last few months, and the only way they can get help, is if they declare the province a Disaster Area,” Said Tersia Marshall MPL – DA Spokesperson on Agriculture: Mpumalanga Province to The Bulletin.
The DA has previously raised concerns with the provincial government regarding the severe risks posed by these fires, and the situation has now escalated to a critical point.
“We are concerned that the widespread fires have caused immense damage to landowners, farmers, and businesses alike. The legal ramifications of this disaster are severe, as insurance companies are refusing to process or pay out claims unless the province is officially declared a disaster area. Without this crucial declaration, landowners and business owners face financial devastation, and the consequences for Mpumalanga’s economy will be catastrophic.”
“In our latest letter to the MEC, we informed her that failure to declare Mpumalanga a disaster area would result in widespread business liquidations, leaving thousands of people without jobs and threatening the food security of the province,” said Marshall.
The Provincial Government must know that the agricultural sector, already under immense pressure, will be unable to recover without urgent financial support and insurance relief. The ripple effect of this disaster on local businesses and employment is immense, and the long-term damage to the province will be irreversible without immediate action.
The DA requested MEC Hlophe to urgently raise this matter again with the Premier and expedite the declaration of Mpumalanga as a disaster area. This is a critical step to ensure insurance claims are paid out and that those affected can begin rebuilding their livelihoods. “We cannot afford any delay in addressing this matter, as every day lost deepens the impact on our communities.”
