As the clean-up and relief operations begin in earnest in KwaZulu-Natal amid the devastating floods that have ravished the province, it is estimated that around 40,000 people have been displaced from their homes.
Subsequently, the flooding has forced the government’s hand to place the country under another state of disaster, which will unlock much-needed funding to help with search and rescue as well as relief efforts.
But what is truly sad is that South Africans already expect the government can’t be trusted with the millions of rands that politicians will now have access to, and finance minister Enoch Godongwana admitted as much in a newspaper report on Sunday.
When SA-born Hollywood actress Charlize Theron appealed to her social media following to make donations to her foundation to help with the efforts in KZN, the replies were predictable writes The Citizen.
The responses urged the Oscar winner not to give the donations to government intuitions out of fear they would simply be looted.
The first signs of possible corruption have already been put on full display when the Daily Maverick reported on what appeared to be three eThekwini council staffers who tried to take care packages that are meant for relief volunteers and flood victims.
The staffers allegedly packed up three vehicles full of the care packages and were even seen opening the parcels and eating the food inside them.
Sunday Times Daily columnist Tony Leon details the rot of the ANC government that failed to adequately maintain infrastructure and implement suitable spatial planning that would not have seen low-cost housing built on floodplains.
He continues by writing on the slew of corrupt officials that are currently in high-ranking positions in the province.
Leon writes that he gave his donation to the impeccable civil society group, The Gift of the Givers, where he is guaranteed, his money will be used for its intended purpose and the organisation will “deliver the services and would not steal a cent of the funds.”
Here’s a round-up of opinions, editorials, and in-depth articles we’re reading:
Response to floods must be centralised – Editorial, Business Day (for subscribers)
KZN floods expose socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities – Olivia Kunguma, News24
The ANC’s election of corruption-accused leaders shows its true character – Justice Malala, Financial Mail (for subscribers)
Can Ace Magashule be the next ANC president? – John Dludlu, Business Day (for subscribers)
The three dimensions to the golden handshake – Sasha Planting, Daily Maverick
C’mon, Eskom, please lighten the load for all of us – Editorial, Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
