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Department of Social Development loses R67 million in unused funds

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Dear Editor

The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (ECDSD) has forfeited R67 million meant to assist those worst affected by poverty in the province, because they were unable to spend the money.

During a sitting of the Provincial Legislature last week, it was revealed that the Department has been unable to spend funds from the Social Relief of Distress Grant. This grant is provided for the temporary provision of assistance for persons in such a dire material need that they are unable to meet their families’ basic needs.

Over the past two years, the world has seen the Covid pandemic wreak havoc on the lives of millions of people around the world.

In the Eastern Cape, we have seen hundreds of thousands of people lose their jobs, homes, and any source of income. We have also seen an increased number of people living in dire poverty and on the streets.

It is unfathomable and simply unacceptable, that the ECDSD, under the leadership of MEC Siphokazi Lusithi-Mani, was unable to spend R67,076 million that was meant for the most vulnerable in our province.

These funds are now lost forever, while the people of this province go hungry.

In Nelson Mandela Bay alone, 16 634 beneficiaries were denied social relief of distress, in the form of food parcels, because MEC Lusithi-Mani’s Department chose to appoint service providers that did not have the capacity to deliver.

The ANC have failed the people of this province, apparently to focused on putting money in the pockets of cadres. It appears that when they can’t distribute the money into their own pockets, they simply don’t spend it, while our people suffer.

I will be writing to the Department of Social Development Portfolio Committee Chair, Nomasikizi Konza, to request that the MEC and the Department be called to provide the committee with a full account of why the funds were not spent.

Those responsible for failing the people of this province during their greatest time of need must be held accountable. We cannot be giving money back when our people are starving.

Regards

Edmund van Vuuren, MPL

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.