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27 March 2026
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The Western Cape Government supports volunteer Search and Rescue Organisation
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On 26 March 2026, Minister Anton Bredell formally handed over a cheque to the Search and Rescue South Africa Organisation (SARZA), recognising the organisation’s important contribution to disaster response in the Western Cape. The Department of Local Government provided R300 000 in financial support to the SARZA to assist the Organisation continuing its critical search and rescue operations across the Province.
SARZA is a registered Public Benefit Organisation, established in the early 1990s, and comprises of more than 280 volunteers nationally, including 43 volunteers based in the Western Cape. Its members bring specialised skills to emergency response efforts, including paramedicine, rescue operations, engineering and incident management, providing vital support during disasters and emergency incidents.
The Department of Local Government regards SARZA as a key strategic partner in strengthening the province’s disaster response capacity. Through collaboration with organisations such as the National Sea Rescue Institute and Lifesaving Western Cape, the provincial government continues to expand its response capabilities through partnerships with volunteer organisations.
SARZA has supported several major incidents in the province. During the George building collapse, the organisation deployed its incident management software to assist with real-time operational logging and situational awareness, while its members also participated in search and rescue operations on site.
Their specialised 4x4 capabilities have also proven essential during flood responses. During the July 2024 floods, SARZA successfully delivered humanitarian aid to communities that had been cut off due to damaged infrastructure.
With disasters and extreme weather events increasing in frequency and severity, the continued involvement of skilled volunteer organisations such as SARZA remains critical to strengthening disaster readiness and response in the Western Cape.
The Western Cape Government expresses its gratitude to the volunteers for their dedication, expertise and tireless contribution to disaster response, which continues to make a tangible difference in the lived experiences of citizens across the Province.
Source: The Western Cape Government
SARZA is a registered Public Benefit Organisation, established in the early 1990s, and comprises of more than 280 volunteers nationally, including 43 volunteers based in the Western Cape. Its members bring specialised skills to emergency response efforts, including paramedicine, rescue operations, engineering and incident management, providing vital support during disasters and emergency incidents.
The Department of Local Government regards SARZA as a key strategic partner in strengthening the province’s disaster response capacity. Through collaboration with organisations such as the National Sea Rescue Institute and Lifesaving Western Cape, the provincial government continues to expand its response capabilities through partnerships with volunteer organisations.
SARZA has supported several major incidents in the province. During the George building collapse, the organisation deployed its incident management software to assist with real-time operational logging and situational awareness, while its members also participated in search and rescue operations on site.
Their specialised 4x4 capabilities have also proven essential during flood responses. During the July 2024 floods, SARZA successfully delivered humanitarian aid to communities that had been cut off due to damaged infrastructure.
With disasters and extreme weather events increasing in frequency and severity, the continued involvement of skilled volunteer organisations such as SARZA remains critical to strengthening disaster readiness and response in the Western Cape.
The Western Cape Government expresses its gratitude to the volunteers for their dedication, expertise and tireless contribution to disaster response, which continues to make a tangible difference in the lived experiences of citizens across the Province.
Source: The Western Cape Government
