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Charity and welfare organisations suffer while NMB delays payments

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Dear MyPE

The 2019 failures of the Nelson Mandela Bay governing coalition have spilled over to 2020. The Financial Assistance to External Organisations is a fund meant to assist NGO’s and other worthy causes in Nelson Mandela Bay. The more than 160 welfare and charitable organizations have been waiting since last year for funds that should have been paid to them already.

Delays in the approval of these funds began in September 2019 when ANC MMC’s failed to pitch at the sub-committee that approves these funds. The subcommittee was able to quorate a week later and approve the allocations. The approval was once again stalled at its next step, the Budget and Treasury committee of 1 November 2019. The meeting was postponed by the MMC: Budget and Treasury, after committee members raised queries regarding the absence of the Acting CFO and Acting City Manager at the meeting.

The meeting reconvened on 29 November 2019, but failed to quorate due to the absence of the EFF and ANC members of the committee.

I have written to the MMC: Budget and Treasury and Speaker of Council to request an urgent meeting of the committee to deal with one item only, the approval of these allocations. I have furthermore requested that this item be included on the agenda of the full council sitting of 30 January 2020 for endorsement. See letters here and here.

Only a DA led government prioritises non-governmental organizations and community-based organisations as a critical component of a caring Nelson Mandela Bay. During the DA’s tenure as part of a coalition NMB government payment to these organisations were made before December in order for them to start the new year with the necessary funds. Delays in funding to these organisations directly affects the most poor and vulnerable in our Metro and should simply not be countenanced or allowed.

It’s time for change again in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Regards

Leander Kruger Cllr
DA Nelson Mandela Bay Spokesperson on Budget and Treasury

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