'Declare W Cape a disaster area'

2007-07-30 14:40

Cape Town - Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool should declare a disaster following the floods, which have left thousands of people homeless, the Independent Democrats in the city said on Monday.

Simon Grindrod, ID caucus leader and mayoral committee member, said the city simply did not have the resources to properly assist those who had been flooded.

"Blankets and soup are not enough. The danger is very real that the flood waters will carry disease into homes where children and the elderly are trying to survive in cold and wet conditions," he said.

The ID called on Rasool to use his powers and declare an official disaster.

This would allow the city to access the funds from national government that were urgently needed for relief.

- SAPA