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The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit a request to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Social Development, Dr Tlou Chokoe, to launch an inquiry into the ongoing shortcomings of the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD). Since 2018, this department has consistently failed to meet its targets, which has had a detrimental impact on many vulnerable residents who rely on these essential services.

The underperforming programmes include school uniforms that provide dignity to children in Gauteng, dignity packs for individuals with disabilities, dignity packs designed to help girls stay in school during menstruation, and food banks to ensure that vulnerable people receive much-needed food provisions.

The DA has expressed concerns for many years about these missed targets, only to be met with excuses from the former GDSD MEC Mbali Hlophe and the current MEC Faith Mazibuko. Unsurprisingly, there has been little to no action from the former and current MECs to improve the performance of these programmes and better serve the residents of Gauteng.

Failure to achieve set targets for these programmes is underscored in the department’s 2023/2024 Annual Report:

76 283 or 41.2% of uniform packs were distributed against a target of 185 000.

216 311 or 12% dignity packs were distributed against a target of 1 776 000.

57 792 or 10.4%, food relief packages were issued to individuals through food banks, compared to a target of 551 000.

The DA strongly urges the Portfolio Committee of Social Development to take immediate action by initiating an inquiry into the department's inability to meet crucial targets during the 2018/2019 to 2023/2024 financial years. This investigation is vital for accountability and ensuring better performance moving forward.

The inquiry must also investigate the reported irregular expenditures and allegations of corruption in this department. Specifically, how exactly the department was able to bypass Circular 21 and procure some of the goods, determining whether the procurement has been irregular.

Additionally, the department should answer to the BDO and Bowman reports, which have garnered media attention but have not yet been presented before the Gauteng Social Development Portfolio Committee despite the allocation of public funds for their commissioning.

A DA government would ensure that this department effectively distributes essential services by addressing the supply chain issues that have consistently hindered its ability to meet targets. This would include improving the department's planning, enhancing its understanding of operations, and managing its budgets effectively to benefit Gauteng residents.

The DA will continue to hold this department accountable and ensure it meets its targets in the specified programmes. It is unacceptable that vulnerable residents in the province are deprived of social and welfare services due to the department's ongoing incompetence.

Issued by Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development