Dukathole community says it is forgotten during Covid-19 lockdown
EMPD officers had to escort the bakkies to delivery points to ensure the donors’ safety.
The community of Dukathole recently attacked donors when they visited the area to donate food parcels.
According to residents the reason for the attack was because they are desperate for help.
The community attacked the bakkies that were transporting food parcels to specific people in the community, who were in dire need.
EMPD officers then had to escort the bakkies to their delivery points to ensure the donors’ safety.
The GCN spoke to a community leader, Philiswa Madlebe, about the situation in the community.
“Everyone is desperate and wanting something.
“Most people in the area cannot work during the lockdown because they do piece jobs.
“We have not received any food donations from the City of Ekurhuleni and people were under the impression that the recent donation was from the City,” said Madlebe.
She said there is a dire need for food parcels in the area.
“The area has been forgotten by the City.
“Since the lockdown started, the community have not received any assistance from the City and there is no communication.
“So, we are really grateful for the donation as it will go a long for many families,” said Madlebe.
The donors, Given Muhlarhi and the African Children’s Feeding Scheme and Community Education (ACFS), said they were contacted by some of the leaders in the area who asked for assistance.
“Community leaders asked for assistance after seeing the work we do in the Ekurhuleni area.
“They explained the situation and we saw the need to come here and help this community,” said Muhlarhi.
He said the donations was not for the whole community, but for specific people who really needed assistance.
Muhlarhi addressed the community and explained to them who was eligible for the donations and said that the donations were not from the municipality.
“As society we need to be fair.
“We are all affected by the pandemic, but we are not all down and out.
“Some of us can still afford to put food on the table and provide for our families, whereas others have nothing.
“Those are the people we came to help,” said Muhlarhi.
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The criteria for donations were child-headed families, families of more than four members who were depending on one child grant, people who do odd jobs, and those who have no job and receive no grants.
The GCN sent a query to the City regarding the City’s procedures for assisting community members with food parcels.
“Councillors submit the names of beneficiaries who need food parcels from their respective wards to officials from the Department of Health and Social Development.
“Political parties have agreed to allocate a specified amount of food parcels every month for councillors to collect and distribute in their respective wards.
“The Department of Health and Social Development is also distributing food parcels to beneficiaries across the City on an ongoing basis,” said spokesperson for the executive mayor, Phakamile Mbengashe.
Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor Mzwandile Masina, and Gauteng Premier David Makhura launched the Ekurhuleni Covid-19 Food Bank (ECFB), in April, at the Ekurhuleni Fresh Food Market, in Springs.
The bank was established to ensure that the poorest of families in the City have access to the most basic, but most important supplies, during the nationwide lockdown.
This includes food, sanitiser, masks and other necessities.
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