The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently raised their concerns pertaining to the delivery of essential food parcels by the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) to residents in need.
A communique from DA Member of the Provincial Legislature and Shadow MEC for Social Development, Refiloe Nt’sekhe noted that, “The DA has received numerous complaints from residents who are desperately in need of food, and who claim that they have put in requests for food parcels. The department has yet to respond within the allocated time of 48 hours.”
According to the DA, Councillor Lesego Lekoto from Mogale City applied for food parcels for six families on 8 April, and they have of yet not received food from the department in question. “This despite the fact that the councillor received an acknowledgement of his request via email, with a reference number indicating that the turnaround time for food deliveries is seven working days”.
“This is one of many requests for which the Gauteng administration is failing to fulfil its promise to poor families who are hungry for food. For these applicants, food parcels are the only way to provide for their families during this difficult time,” Nt’sekhe noted.
For context, according to a public Facebook post by the GDSD, MEC Panyaza Lesufi, on behalf of the department, accepted food relief donations worth R2,5 million; 10 000 food packets from Shell SA; 21 pallets of toiletries from Colgate-Palmolive; 40 000 bags of mealie meal from MealSA; 720 cans of chakalaka and beans from Dursot; R5 million worth of donations from Sanzaf; a tender of R80 million for food relief from GDSD; and R40 million to be donated by the National Department of Social Development and the Solidarity Fund. GDSD also noted recently that, “2 000 new families daily receive food supplies for the whole month,” and that “72 000 people are covered in Gauteng,” as of 14 April.
Mogale City Local Municipality responded, noting that the News’ request for feedback was forwarded to their colleagues at their Social Services section.
“The social support programme of distributing food parcels to the needy is an initiative of the Department of Social Development (DSD). The DSD coordinates this programme through Food Bank. Other food parcels distributed which involved councillors have happened but these are done through separate food donations. The Municipality is therefore unable to provide a response to the above, but we encourage the News or DA councillor to engage the Regional Director of the DSD for a proper response.”
By today, 23 April, no feedback has been received from the DSD
