The Democratic Alliance (DA) will today write to KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, to request a full report on investigations into her Department’s alleged funding of ‘ghost’ institutions.
The move comes after a weekend media report which claims that, according to whistle blowers within the DSD, R33m was paid to 11 non-profit organisations (NPOs) whose existence cannot be verified. However, this too is in doubt after the newspaper which broke the story later found four of the NPO’s that had been declared untraceable.
The DA regards this information as deeply concerning given the overwhelming number of vulnerable people in our province who need help. Equally alarming though is the MEC’s failure to assume responsibility and her attempt to blame local departmental offices in the article published yesterday.
This is nothing short of disgraceful and the flippant manner in which she has responded speaks volumes. The Department, from the ground up, is the MEC’s responsibility, and she should be accountable for its operational functions, or lack thereof.
The DA will not allow this matter to be left unattended, while millions disappear. While we welcome the investigation, we remain concerned about the possibility of there being no appropriate consequence management despite the serious nature of the alleged offences.
The DA is committed to ensuring that this takes place and will also request a full report from the MEC in this regard once the probe is wrapped up which is predicted to be in December.
Heads must roll.