MEC calls for Laingsburg to be declared a disaster zone

Mluleki Mrwebi
21 January 2014

Western Cape MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development Gerrit van Rensburg has called for some areas in Laingsburg which were damaged by the recent flooding be declared a disaster zone. 

Van Rensburg said the cost to repair everything and damages to farms will run into millions. 

Residents in the area still do not have electricity and roads have been damage two weeks after the flooding took place.

Departmental Spokesperson Wouter Kriel said there is a lot of damage to agricultural infrastructure as well as a lot of land that was washed away.

Kriel added that for the area to be declared a disaster zone as the MEC wants to, they will need to make a presentation to the provincial government and a decision will be taken from there.