sasters. This was followed by a formal presentation led by Disaster Management Deputy Director, Mrs Nonkululeko Maphisa, where Members engaged with key aspects of disaster preparedness and inter-municipal coordination. The engagement was also attended by the Honourable Deputy Mayor, Councillor IS Sithole, and Councillor LN Zulu, whose presence underscored the municipality’s commitment to collaborative governance and strengthening disaster management interventions. The Committee noted with appreciation that essential relief materials have already been procured in preparation for the upcoming winter season, demonstrating a proactive approach to seasonal risk management. Furthermore, ongoing training on the Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) reporting system is underway, aimed at improving response coordination and streamlining incident reporting between Local Municipalities (LMs) and the District. However, despite this progress, a critical gap remains in the area of fire and rescue services. Amajuba District Municipality currently does not have its own fire engine, and the majority of LMs within the district lack firefighting staff. This shortfall places significant pressure on the district’s ability to manage emergency incidents effectively. The visit also underscored the pressing need to intervene in the functionality of the Disaster Management Unit in Dannhauser Local Municipality, as current capacity limitations continue to create a significant gap in spatial response coverage across the district. In contrast, encouraging progress was observed in both eMadlangeni and Newcastle municipalities, particularly in strengthening incident reporting and intergovernmental coordination. Drawing closer to the end of the meeting, Members of the Legislature directed probing and purposeful questions to both Amajuba District Municipality and senior officials from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs who were in attendance. Key issues included timelines for filling vacancies, managing infrastructure spending, and emergency response capacity. Although structural concerns at the Centre, including build quality and ongoing maintenance, were noted, discussions mainly emphasized the urgent need to strengthen fire and rescue services and ensure compliance with the Disaster Management Act. The Portfolio Committee stressed the need for ongoing oversight and committed to monitoring progress on the issues raised. Recommendations from the engagement will be included in the Committee’s oversight report to guide future discussions with Amajuba District Municipality and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. A follow-up visit is planned to assess progress and address any remaining gaps.