SALGA calls for urgent overhaul of disaster management systems as climate disasters intensify
There was been widespread destruction to infrastructure in Limpopo and Mpumalanga due to severe flooding.
Image: Gift of the Givers
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has issued a strong call for urgent national action to modernise South Africa’s disaster management framework, warning that municipalities are increasingly overwhelmed by the rising frequency and severity of climate-related disasters.
The appeal follows a series of recent disasters across the country, including wildfires in the Eastern Cape that destroyed property, biodiversity and livelihoods, and severe flooding in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal that disrupted basic services and displaced families. According to SALGA, the recent floods have claimed the lives of more than 30 people as of 17 January 2026.
SALGA extended its condolences to affected families while emphasising that municipalities, as first responders, are bearing the brunt of disaster response under severe resource constraints.
“These events highlight the rapidly increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters and expose the limitations of the current disaster management system,” said Cllr Mluleki Nkosi, SALGA’s chairperson of the Emergency Services and Disaster Management Working Group.
“Despite the Cabinet’s 2022 directive for an urgent review of the Disaster Management System, progress has been slow. As a result, municipalities remain under siege from floods, storms, droughts and fires, relying on systems that are outdated and inadequate for current risks.”
SALGA noted that while existing legislation assigns municipalities responsibility for coordinating local stakeholders and developing contingency plans, many lack the capacity and resources to effectively respond, even when early warnings are issued.
In the interim, SALGA urged municipalities to maximise the tools currently available to them. This includes activating Joint Operating Committees, issuing timely public communication upon receiving warnings from the South African Weather Service, and conducting rapid assessments of losses and damages to support accurate reporting to Provincial Disaster Management Centres.
Looking ahead, SALGA stressed that systemic reform is unavoidable if communities are to be protected against worsening climate impacts.
“To strengthen municipalities against climate change-related disasters, South Africa must modernise disaster policies in line with the Climate Change Act, secure sustainable funding for municipal preparedness and resilience, and expand early-warning systems with automated communication channels,” Nkosi said.
He added that upgrading infrastructure, improving risk mapping, enhancing intergovernmental collaboration and expanding community education programmes are also critical priorities.
SALGA reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing technical support to municipalities but warned that local efforts alone will not be sufficient.
“Protecting communities, infrastructure and livelihoods in a changing climate requires proactive, coordinated and well-resourced disaster management systems,” the association said, underscoring that urgent national intervention is essential to avert further loss of life and damage.
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