SEDIBENG. – The Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) has vehemently denied allegations that its officials are involved in corruption through stealing and unfairly distributing social relief packages (food parcels) in the area.
Sedibeng Ster recently reported that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has levelled allegations against the DSD and its officials saying that it has been reliably informed that five of their (where DA has Councillors) wards in the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) have been excluded from the distribution of food parcels while all their opposition, the ANC’s wards’ in this municipality are benefiting. The DA said that the ELM is not even considering people that were already on the indigent registers in these wards and that this has resulted in many families who are desperately in need of food not receiving any food parcels.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Gauteng DSD Spokesperson, Thabiso Hlongwane, said that there is no truth in what the DA has been saying and that it (DA) should provide proof of the allegations. Hlongwane said that no politicians and municipalities are involved in the process of the registering and distribution of the social relief packages and this is solely the responsibility of the DSD.
“These are serious allegations levelled against the department and we need the DA to come up with evidence so that these allegations can be thoroughly investigated. As the department we have the responsibility of looking after our poor people at large, not taking into account their political affiliation. The social relief packages are for everyone who qualifies for them,” said Hlongwane adding that the social relief packages are for the unemployed and those earning less than R3 600, combined income per household.
“We have stringent processes that are followed and we have no reason to politicise this process. Let the DA bring evidence of their allegations and these will be investigated.”
Furthermore Hlongwane said that the DSD is dealing with over 400 to 1000 cases on a daily basis that are in need of the packages and that they have delivered over 120 000 of them to the poor since the beginning of the lockdown.
“We have a Central Food Bank that was established last year, and through it we are able to receive and distribute the social relief packages, with correct data about those in need in the five regions of the Province. We are doing this hand in hand with other organs of the government to determine the accuracy of the information provided by the applicants. This food bank is monitored by former Auditor General, Shauket Fakie, and I can assure you that there is no political influence on this.”
On Monday, the DA also said that a Councillor in Ward 6, Midvaal Local Municipality, was making residents pay R3 per household to register for the social relief packages and that it would open a case against him.
* Those in need of the social relief packages can send their names, address, ID numbers and contact details in an email to, support@gauteng.gov.za or alternatively call 0800 228 827 or 0800 428 8364. They can also SMS these details to 35023.
