DA on KZN floods: SA cannot afford repeat of PPE scandal

The party's warning comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Monday of a national state of disaster in the wake of the floods in KZN.

DA national spokesperson Cilliers Brink says the country cannot allow a repeat of the personal protective equipment scandal when public funds meant for the most vulnerable were looted.

"Having ignored the DA's proposals on how to prevent the abuse of disaster relief funds at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa would be well advised to listen to what we have to say this time around."

READ: KZN floods: 'No room for corruption' of relief funds - Ramaphosa

"The declaration of a national state of disaster is a confirmation of what DA public representatives have been telling us: there is no effective coordination of flood relief in especially KwaZulu-Natal, and widespread reports of abuse of public resources by the ANC in the wake of the disaster.

"The health risks linked to an unstable supply of clean water and a lack of sanitation are high and we cannot afford a repeat of the PPE scandal where people's lives were gambled while officials and cadres looted critical funding.

It's been over a week since the floods in KZN ravaged parts of the province, leaving scores of people homeless. 

Close to 500 people have died, while some 60 are still missing or unaccounted for.