Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism
With regard to the recent severe storm damage across the province of the Western Cape:
- (a) What is the current extent of the storm-related damage in the province, (b) how many (i) households, (ii) informal dwellings (including shacks), (iii) public facilities and (iv) road infrastructure nodes have been affected and (c) in which municipal areas has the greatest concentration of damage been recorded;
- (a) what is the total estimated financial value of the damage caused to (i) housing, (ii) roads, (iii) agricultural infrastructure and (iv) municipal services and (b)(i) how was this assessment conducted and (ii) by which authority;
- whether the assessment has been independently verified; if so, what are the relevant details;
1 (a) As of 29 May 2026 the unverified estimate of damages impacting the agricultural sector exceeds R7bn.
(b, i-iv) It is impossible to determine with any degree of accuracy the extent of damages, as the detail requested falls outside the scope of the WCDOA.
(c) At this stage the Cape Winelands District recorded the greatest concentration of damages, however as the access to properties and verification process continues, the situation may change.
2(a) | Category (information derived from WCDoA Flood Apps) | Estimate | Comment |
| (i) Housing (producers & agri-workers) | 13 689 people affected | Outside WCDoA Scope |
| (ii) Roads (agriculture related) | R1 608 090 900 | R 1 608 090 900 (R1.6 billion) |
| (iii) Infrastructure (agriculture related) | R 291 705 114 | R 291 705 114 (R291.7 million) |
| (iv) Municipal Services | R- | Outside WCDoA Scope |
(b) (i) The assessment was conducted utilising our Flood Application, whereby farmers, WCDoA officials and agricultural stakeholders (municipalities, Water User Associations, Irrigation Boards and Organised Agriculture) upload the estimate of their damages.
(ii) Authority: HOD WCDoA, and COGTA (via the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC).
(3) To date, only preliminary data has been collected to provide an initial estimate understanding of the flood’s impact. The next phase will involve a comprehensive verification exercise, which will yield a more detailed and accurate assessment of the damages. It must be noted that the verification process involve the national Department of Agriculture and COGTA.
