The Shadow MMC for Community Development, Councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku has criticised the Department of Social Development (DSD) for distributing food parcels unfairly in Zandspruit.
“On Sunday, 15 March 2020 the President announced a 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus. This decision was taken to protect the people of South Africa. However, while some people are able to work from home, most residents who stay in informal settlements are unable to, due to the nature of their work.
“Many residents in informal settlements solely rely on piece jobs to provide for their families. If they adhere to the lockdown regulations, they cannot put food on the table. Therefore, it came as a relief to hear the DSD announce that they will provide food parcels for the most vulnerable people,” she said, referring to the plight of Ward 114 residents.
She further explained that the department instructed councillors to send a list of those who needed to get food parcels.
“Last week Thursday I sent the list via email and copied the respective ward councillors. I then received alarming calls from the residents of Zandspruit, concerning the issuing of food parcels. They indicated to me that it appeared to be ANC members who were getting the food parcels,” she alleged.
“I contacted the WhatsApp number for the CoJ Region C DSD, requesting to know if my list of vulnerable people had been received. However, I was told via WhatsApp that the list cannot be accepted as it needed to go via the ward councillor for consideration,” Belinda claimed.
She went on to say that she found it disturbing that the DSD officials in Region C are more concerned about who submitted the list of vulnerable people, rather than the needs of the most vulnerable people being met.
“More alarming is the fact that those officials do not seem to understand that councillors do not decide who gets assistance. Our role as councillors is an oversight role, and one does not interfere with the work of officials,” she clarified, adding that everyone needs to work together during this difficult time to assist those in need of assistance to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
“We can’t play politics with the lives of the vulnerable. The DA calls on the CoJ Department of Social Development to ensure transparency in food relief for all vulnerable communities, for hunger knows no race, tribe or political affiliation. The DA has sent an official complaint to the MMC for Social Development to investigate this matter. The DA will continue to hold the ANC administration accountable, and ensure that there are fairness and transparency in distributing food to vulnerable residents, without political interference,” she explained in her conclusion.
