South Africa declares drought as national disaster 

South Africa's government has declared a national disaster to deal with drought-stricken areas such as popular tourist destination Cape Town.
 
This will enable authorities to have access to special funds. 

The announcement was made by Minister of Co-operative Governance, Zweli Mkhize. 

He said that the decision was announced following work done by the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Drought and Water Scarcity. 

Six billion rand was set aside in the 2018/19 budget for bringing relief to affected communities. 

Minister Mkhize emphasised that a stringent process will be followed when allocating relief funds.

The national disaster declaration covers a period of three months.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS
---DECRYPTED---