Premier Alan Winde says significant recovery and reconstruction work still lies ahead following the recent severe weather disasters that affected large parts of the province.

Winde and members of his Cabinet provided an update yesterday on the Western Cape Government’s ongoing response to the storms and the assessment of the damage.

Winde says that while the immediate disaster response is now over, they have turned their attention to the recovery efforts.

He says 70% of the roads that were closed have since been reopened in some form, but extensive damage to road infrastructure remains a major challenge.

Western Cape MEC of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, says many roads, bridges and related structures have sustained significant damage and will require major repairs or, in some cases, complete reconstruction.

To support longer-term recovery efforts, the Western Cape Government has identified 19 emergency provincial road repair projects at critical locations across the province. Contractors have already been mobilised, and work has commenced on a number of these priority projects.

Recovery work will be prioritised and implemented in a phased manner, subject to funding availability.

Finance MEC Deidré Baartman says that to assist, the Western Cape Government has made provisions for disasters in its 2026 Budget by allocating funding to its Unforeseen and Unavoidable Reserve.

Provincial Treasury will now table a submission before the provincial Cabinet to reserve R100 million from this reserve for the current financial year to address some of the most urgent infrastructure repairs.

She says all departments have been allowed to reprioritise within their existing budgets and to use disaster procurement mechanisms to expedite procurement in response to the disaster and related maintenance needs.

“We will continue to engage national government to reform the disaster funding process, as the current system is lengthy and largely retrospective. In addition, we will advocate for the consideration of self-insurance within affected sectors, such as agriculture, alongside appropriate insurance-linked products for residents. While government can respond to public infrastructure losses, the impact on the private sector is equally significant.”

The cost of the damage caused by the storms currently stands at over R9 billion.

Winde emphasised that due to the scale of the damage, recovery will take time.

“Our approach is to prioritise the most critical routes and infrastructure while ensuring that all work is properly planned and executed to build greater resilience against future disasters.”

The Premier also highlighted ongoing efforts to restore electricity supply. In daily briefings with Eskom Western Cape management, the Premier and members of the provincial Cabinet have been informed that 97% of residents left without electricity due to the adverse weather have now been reconnected, with restoration efforts being intensified across affected regions.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has confirmed the death of an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff member following a smash-and-grab incident in Cape Town on Thursday.

According to the department, the incident occurred near Jan van Riebeeck Drive and Epping Avenue on 18 June 2026. Authorities have clarified that the staff member was not shot, despite initial speculation surrounding the circumstances of the incident.

The department said the exact details of what happened, as well as the cause of death, remain under investigation. Officials are working closely with the South African Police Service as investigations continue.

In a statement, the department strongly condemned attacks on EMS personnel and patients, describing such incidents as unacceptable.

Western Cape Health and Wellness Minister Mireille Wenger expressed condolences to the staff member’s family, friends and colleagues.

“Our EMS personnel are dedicated public healthcare workers who serve communities around the clock, often under challenging and dangerous conditions, to save lives. They must be able to perform their duties without fear of violence. Attacks on those who have committed their lives to caring for others are unacceptable and deeply distressing.”

The department said it is ensuring that the employee’s family has been informed and has appealed for privacy and sensitivity during this difficult time.

Counselling services have also been made available to EMS teams affected by the tragedy. Further information is expected to be released once investigations have progressed.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Western Cape will lead a mass march to Parliament and the City of Cape Town on Friday, 19 June 2026, calling for urgent action to address the growing cost-of-living crisis affecting workers and poor communities.

The march will begin at Hanover Street at 10:00, where COSATU members, community organisations and supporters are expected to gather before handing over memorandums outlining their demands.

COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary Malvern de Bruyn says rising prices of food, electricity, water, fuel and transport, coupled with stagnant wages, are placing immense pressure on working-class households.

“Workers and communities across South Africa, and particularly in the Western Cape, are facing a deepening cost-of-living crisis. Households have been forced into a debt spiral as the prices of basic goods and services continue to rise while wages fail to keep pace with worsening economic conditions. Research indicates that consumers are taking home approximately 47% less in real terms than they did a decade ago, while the costs of essential services such as electricity, water, food and transport have increased dramatically. Working-class families are being squeezed from all sides and are struggling to meet their daily needs.”

Among the federation’s demands are lower electricity and water tariffs, reduced fuel and food prices, increases in social grants, stronger enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, and the introduction of a Universal Basic Income Grant.

“The time has come for workers and communities to unite and demand decisive action to address the cost-of-living crisis. Together, we can build a society where all people can live with dignity and social security.”

COSATU has called on workers and communities across the province to join the protected march, saying collective action is needed to push for economic relief and social justice.