Thousands of people across the province are being deprived of their basic human rights to dignity, as social services grind to a halt as a result of the failing ANC government’s inability to ensure a safe working environment for their own staff. Over five hundred staff members, the bulk of which are from the Department of Social Development, have had to seek new premises after being forced to vacate their …
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Social Services grind to a halt as DSD frantically seeks new offices
Eastern Cape NGOs face bleak festive season
Hundreds of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) across the Eastern Cape will be having a bleak festive season, as they are still waiting for their funding subsidy-transfers to be paid. These NGOs were promised that the payments, some of which have been outstanding for more than three months, would be made by no later than the 15th of December. They are still waiting though, as the Department of Social Development battles with …
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Speech Notes: Social Development Annual Report for 2017/18
All protocol observed. Honourable Speaker, I am very sad, disappointed, frustrated, concerned and very cross with the ANC. I am sad because the relative successes of the post-apartheid ANC Government has not successfully redressed the wrongs of the previous regime. In fact, service delivery has slowed down, and the country still faces serious economic and social challenges such as negative economic growth, high unemployment, rising poverty and increasing inequality. I …
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More needs to be done to assist people with disabilities
As the world commemorates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities today (3 December) more needs to be done to assist those with disabilities in the Eastern Cape. There are close to 300 000 people with disabilities in the Eastern Cape according to STATS SA Household Survey. The third highest number in the country. Not only are people with disabilities being excluded from job opportunities across the province, but they …
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Millions paid to officials to stay at home while under investigation
The Department of Social Development has paid out close on R5,2 million in salaries to 34 suspended officials facing charges of, among others, corruption and financial mismanagement. Eight of these officials, who have already cost the Department close on R1 million, are still sitting at home, drawing salaries, while waiting for their appeals against their dismissals to be finalised. In response to a parliamentary question, Department of Social Development MEC, …
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Children’s development not a priority in the Eastern Cape
As the world marks Universal Children’s Day (20 November 2018), there are close to one million children under the age of five in the Eastern Cape who will not be able to access fully functional early childhood development centres (ECD’s) because the Department of Social Development is dragging its heels. These children are being deprived of the very foundation that would help lift them out of institutionalised poverty and provide …
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Uncaring ANC running towns into the ground
The failing ANC governed Chris Hani District municipality and Inxuba Yethemba local Municipality have forgotten that they are there to serve the people, all while simply ignoring calls for assistance. This is evident from looming bulk power supply interruptions scheduled for these municipalities from next week, which could be the final nail in the coffin for the many small towns under their control. I will be writing to the Co-operative …
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Social Development needs to do more to combat corruption in its midst
The case before the Grahamstown High Court where allegations against former Social Development Head of Department, Stanley Khanyile, have emerged, is a clear indication that corruption, inefficiency, nepotism and cronyism within the Department of Social Development requires much more attention from the new MEC Phumza Dyantyi. These revelations come just weeks after the Department revealed irregular expenditure totalling R179,6 million in their 2017/2018 annual report. Khanyile is accused of syphoning …
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Under-expenditure at Social Development Dept. skyrockets, while people remain desperate for services
The recently tabled annual report of the Department of Social Development (DSD) has shown that under-expenditure by the Department has nearly tripled when compared to the previous financial year. The report states the Department underspent by R125,562 million in 2017/2018, compared to the R43 million they underspent in 2016/2017. This means that the Department’s under-expenditure has increased by 190% year-on-year. This in a province where the demand for social development …
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Presentation of Report of Portfolio Committee on Social Development
Taking legislature to the People Elliotdale, Amathole District Municipality 17 October 2018 All protocol observed. Honourable Speaker. The social development committee report tabled today highlights seven co-operative projects that were visited by the portfolio committee during the end of August this year. A very simple definition of a co-operative would be to say it is a business where a group of people get together voluntarily to address their common needs. …
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