Map 10: Map 10: Land Capability
3.3. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
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• Poor farming practices in the rural areas in particular are a threat to agricultural production.
• There is a lack of infrastructure maintenance impacting negatively on the aesthetics of the municipality.
• Monoculture is resulting in a loss of both genetic and biodiversity goods and services produced in the area.
• Alien vegetation has a negative impact on water resources in the area.
• There is a limited understanding of the downstream impacts of environmental degradation with apathy towards offenders.
• The subdivision of agricultural land into small entities often results in non-‐viable agricultural production units.
• The use of pit latrines in low-‐cost housing development will lead to environmental problems.
• The migration of biodiversity up and down altitudinal gradients is critical to the survival of species during global climatic events. Monoculture has created islands of biodiversity in the municipality which inhibits the ability of ecosystems to adapt and migrate.
• The lack of rehabilitation in some areas is an identified problem.
The Map below depicts the environmental features evident in the uMlalazi Municipal Area:
Map 11: Environmental Features
A large tract of the Municipal Area, in the south-‐central part, is classified as a Biodiversity Priority 1 area. There is also a large area in the western half of the Municipal Area that is classified as a Biodiversity Priority 1 area.
Page 64 of 413 other major centers, present numerous catastrophic and hazardous materials threats. In addition to these natural and human-‐induced threats and despite ongoing progress to extend essential services to poor urban and rural communities, large numbers of people live in conditions of chronic disaster vulnerability – in underdeveloped, ecologically fragile or marginal areas – where they face recurrent natural and other threats that range from flooding to informal settlement fires. The uMlalazi disaster management Policy Framework is the legal instrument specified by the Act to address such needs for consistency across multiple interest groups, by providing a coherent, transparent and inclusive policy on disaster management appropriate for the Municipality of uMlalazi as a whole.
In this context, the disaster risk management framework of uMlalazi Local Municipality recognizes a diversity of risks and disasters that occur or may occur in its Municipal area of responsibility, and gives priority to developmental measures that reduce the vulnerability of disaster-‐prone areas, communities and households.
Also, in keeping with international and national best practice, the uMlalazi disaster risk management framework places explicit emphasis on the risk reduction concepts of disaster prevention and mitigation, as the core principles to guide disaster risk management in the area.
3.3.2. Risk Profiling
RISK
DROUGHT
FIRE FLOOD TORNADO EPIDEMIC STORM TIDAL SURGE HAZMAT AVIATION MARITIME RAILWAY
Ward 1 X X X X X
Ward 2 X X X X X X
Ward 3 X X X X X
Ward 4 X X X X X
Ward 5 X X X X X X
Ward 6 X X X X X X
Ward 7 X X X X X
Ward 8 X X X X X
Ward 9 X X X X X
Ward 10 X X X X X
Ward 11 X X X X X X
Ward 12 X X X X X
Ward 13 X X X X X
Ward 14 X X X X X
Ward 15 X X X X X
Ward 16 X X X X X
Ward 17 X X X X X
Ward 18 X X X X X
Ward 19 X X X X X X
Ward 20 X X X X X
Ward 21 X X X X X
Ward 22 X X X X X
Ward 23 X X X X X
Ward 24 X X X X X
Ward 25 X X X X X
Ward 26 X X X X X
Table 17: Ward Risk Profiling
In terms of Section 53 of the Disaster Managements Act of 2002 (Act 57 of 2002), each municipality (Metropolitan, District and Local) must prepare a Disaster Risk Management Plan for its area of responsibility. In order to develop a Disaster Risk Management Plan, it is necessary to conduct a Risk Analysis which will identify and priorities potential hazards and threats that are likely to occur within the area of responsibility of the Municipality. For this process to be
Page 65 of 413 effective, detailed indigenous knowledge is to be sought from the local people in each ward. Physical inspections of each ward is also required in order to be acquainted with the physical characteristics of each ward, the terrain, the altitude, environmental features and any other aspects that could have (positive or negative) implications on disasters. The table below indicates the common risks associated with each ward;
From the above table, it is apparent that the most common risks identified by members in each community are;
drought, fire, flooding, storm/tornadoes and epidemics. Through this process of risk profiling, the municipality can now give priority to developmental measures that reduce the vulnerability of disaster-‐prone areas, communities and households.
3.3.3. Institutional Arrangements for Disaster Management
Disaster Management is within the Directorate of the Protection Services Department. It is a factual situation that the uMlalazi Local Municipality does not have the capacity in terms of manpower or the technical support equipment to deal with a major disaster. This conclusion is underlined by the fact that there is a shortfall of 6 police stations in the municipal area and that there is a critical need for a fire station in all three of the urban nodes, let alone the merging nodes.
The municipality is currently without a Disaster Management Officer, however, there is personnel to assist wherever there are disasters. The uMlalazi Municipality has two fire stations situated in Gingindlovu and Eshowe. There are appeals for the municipality to establish a third fire station in Mtunzini and two satellite fire stations in Mbongolwane and KwaBulawayo. For the 2015/16 financial year, the municipality has advertised for proposals the sourcing of funds and project management services on a turnkey basis in respect of projects for which funds have been sourced for firefighting infrastructure. The municipality is currently enjoying the services of ten fire fighters within the two fire stations. The table below indicates the status on disaster management within the municipality.
Table 18: Status of Disaster Management
INSTITUTIONAL INDICATORS STATUS REMARKS
1. Disaster Management Plan approved 3/2013 Reviewed 3/2014
2. Disaster Management Policy Framework approved 06/2012
3. Disaster Management Interdepartmental Committee In place Serious incident
4. Disaster Management Portfolio Committee In place Seats every second month
5. Disaster Management Advisory Forum Operational
6. Disaster Management Personnel Only disaster man
using fire-‐fighters
One post approved, Not funded
7. Disaster Management Volunteers Only firefighting. Need to be trained on other aspects.
3.3.4. Operational Plan for Disaster Management
In terms of the provisions of the uMlalazi Disaster Risk Management Policy Framework, the Municipality has developed Operational Plans which are aimed at:-‐
• Defining Response Protocols;
• Contingency Planning
• Access to Resources for:
i. Immediate relief;
Page 66 of 413 ii. Equipment; and
iii. Recovery and rehabilitation.
• Guidelines for:
i. Funding; and
ii. Declaration of a Municipal State of Disaster.
3.3.5. Identified Role Players
The key role players in the uMlalazi Disaster Management Plan have been identified and are actively involved therein.
These role players are:
• the Municipal Manager and the five departmental managers;
• the Manager of Protection Services obviously is key to the overall structure;
• no-‐governmental organisations (NGO’s);
• community based organization (NGO’s);
• the South African Police Service (SAPS);
• the South African National Defense Force (SANDF);
• private companies and enterprises; and
• The local commercial sector.
3.3.6. Management Structure
The management structure for the uMlalazi Disaster Management Plan is the following:
• The Municipal Manager and a Management Committee consisting of senior officials of the municipality execute the core management function.
• A Health and Medical Committee which is headed by the Manager of Community Services and includes as members thereof the Senior Medical Superintendent of the Eshowe Provincial Hospital, the District Surgeon, Senior Health Nurse and others.
• A Welfare and Relief Committee which is headed by the Manager Corporate Services of the municipality with other officials of the municipality.
• A Response and Rescue Committee headed by the Manager Protection Services of the municipality with representation thereon by the Provincial Area Manager of the KwaZulu Natal Department of Transport, the Station Commissioner of the South African Police Service.
• A Reconstruction Committee headed by the Manager Engineering Services of the municipality, officials of the municipality and the General Manager of the KwaZulu Natal Department of Transport.
• A Development Committee headed by the Manager Financial Services of the municipality and other officials of that department
3.3.7. Disaster Management SWOT Analysis
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
• Disaster Risk Management Policy Framework is effectively in place
• Risk Assessment has been conducted to identify all Disaster Risks and have formulated a Disaster Reduction model to mitigate casual disaster risks.
• Operational Plan effectively in place.
• 10 Fire Fighters employed to combat disasters.
• Funding arrangements for Disaster Management insufficient.
• Shortage of Staff
• Poor Road Infrastructure in rural areas and overall topography makes rural areas inaccessible
• Slow Water and Sanitation projects.
• Unplanned allocation of TA land
•
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STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
• Training provided to fire fighters
• 2 active Fire stations and 3 Fire Trucks and 2 Fire Bakkies and 1 Disaster management vehicle.
• Fire Hydrants to be install on street curbs.
• Catchment Management Forum is operational.
• Budget for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
• Land Use Management Scheme in place.
OPPORTUNITES THREATS
• Rural Fire prevention programs
• Upgrading of Fire fighting/ Disaster infrastructure.
• EPWP Programs (Working on Fire, Food for waste,)
• OSS flagship program.
• Awareness Campaigns in Communities and schools.
• Rural Housing Developments
• Fast track electrification projects
• Satellite fire station.
• Sidewalks to prevent road accidents.
• Installation of lightning conductors.
•
• Water shortage/Drought
• Alien weeds in rivers
• (Sugar Cane) Fires
• Slums/Informal Settlements – unsafe practices.
• Crime
• Road Accidents.
• Some rural households rely on candles for lighting and fire for cooking.
• Climate Change