Local child welfare is underfunded by a staggering 57 per cent
The DA is calling on Parliament to investigate why Boksburg Child Welfare is underfunded by a staggering 56.86 per cent, or R4 264 809.
According to DA Lethabong constituency head Mike Waters MP, in a reply to a parliamentary question, the Department of Social Development admitted that it costs Boksburg Child Welfare R7 500 000 per annum to provide statutory services (services that the government must provide by law) and that the government only provides R3 235 191.
The department enters into a contract with each child welfare office, in order for them to provide statutory services to children in need.
These statutory services are what the government is obliged to provide to children by law.
“It is dishonest and unethical of government to turn a blind eye to its responsibilities and obligations and expect other organisations to do its work,” said Waters.
He added that he was also told by the department that the the financial sustainability and viability of an NGO (non-governmental organisation) remains the primary responsibility of that NGO.
“This is disingenuous of the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, as she is well aware that the fund-raising capacities of NGOs were decimated with the introduction of the Lotto,” he said.
“NGOs were promised a consistent and reliable source of funding through a centralised Lotto.
“The reality is that funding from the Lotto is sporadic and unreliable, which places financial uncertainty on NGOs.
“Simply put, the government cut NGO capacity to fund-raise with the introduction of the Lotto, now they are failing to fund the services they expect NGOs to provide on their behalf.”
Waters has asked the Human Rights Commission to investigate whether this underfunding is an assault on our children’s human rights.
In addition, the DA is launching an online petition at https://www.petitions24.com/east_rand_child_welfare, which Waters encourages all residents to sign, as well as all their family and friends.
“The more signatures we obtain, the bigger the impact,” he said.
“The petition will be handed into parliament calling on it to investigate this disgraceful situation.”
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