Note to Editors: Please find Shontel de Boer, MPL sound bite in English
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) calls on Social Development MEC, Mbali Shinga, to launch a full audit of all Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) reliant on provincial government funding through her department.
While many NPOs are doing wonderful work in our communities, regrettably more and more are being found to be abusing government funding – in some cases for their own personal gain. This is having a devastating effect on our communities.
The DA continues to receive shocking complaints from residents, their families, community members and staff about the conditions at homes and shelters run by government-funded NPO’s.
At Manor House – a home for the persons with intellectual disabilities mentally disabled in Durban – residents are being forced to live in dirty and unhealthy conditions. This has led to them having to sleep outside in order to avoid rats, bedbugs and other potential health hazards.
Claims of abuse at government-funded facilities are also extremely alarming. The abuse of children at the government-funded Aryan Benevolent Children’s Home in Chatsworth – which came to light in September last year – also highlights the need for consistent monitoring and oversight by the MEC and her department.
The reality is that KZN’s government subsidised old age homes, children’s homes, women and children’s shelters and other facilities are failing the many people in their care.
As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) the DA will insist that MEC Shinga and her department commit to an audit to establish how funding is being spent. We will also insist that the department employs stricter monitoring of conditions at all facilities.
KZN’s most vulnerable residents can no longer be let down by government.