UPDATE: Gauteng govt rubbishes NPOs budget cuts claims

The Gauteng government has denied claims that the budgets of all NPOs were cut.

In a statement, the Department of Social Development (DSD) reiterated that there were no cuts to the R2.3b budget and that funding for residential care services to older persons, child and youth care centres, and shelters for women and those with disabilities will remain funded.

The MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, said: “Our premier has emphatically made the point that our liberation will be meaningless if the poor and vulnerable are not economically liberated, so they too may have an independent existence and their dignity restored.

“Accordingly, the work of our combined departments will embark on food security, as an example.
“This will entail the provision of agriculture projects within our various homes, shelters, households and community land parcels to ensure a move away from the over-reliance on food parcels by enabling individuals to produce their own food,” she said.

Hlophe added that funds are allocated to deserving and compliant NPOs in line with the department’s objectives, as has always been the case.
“The vulnerable in society will continue to receive services from the DSD and NPOs as we now ensure greater holistic development is offered to them,” she said.

The MEC further noted the grievances by NPOs toward the department for the slow pace of contacting them and finalising service level agreements, adding this action is tantamount to sabotaging the work of the department and government.

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