Thousands of Gauteng’s most vulnerable residents are trapped in uncertainty, stuck without adequate food, basic services in shelters, and social welfare services due to delayed and non-payment of non-profit organisations’ (NPOs) funding by the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD).
Instead of the department addressing the growing crisis caused by delayed payments and administrative failures, they are attempting to reassure the public that everything regarding NPO funding is under control, but this does not reflect the reality on the ground.
This week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) engaged directly with NPOs across Gauteng and uncovered widespread frustration, uncertainty, and operational paralysis caused by the department’s failure to pay funding from 1 April.
Many NPOs reported that the department issued them with the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) aligned to their business plans which they used to apply for funding, only to withdraw and recall them without explanation. For example, one NPO secured funding for 60 beneficiaries; however, the department later claimed the agreement was a “mistake” and issued a new SLA to fund only 45 beneficiaries.
What is even worse is that the department has left many organisations in the dark about the outcome of their applications, while others still have not signed SLAs or received a single cent in funding.
This confusion, poor communication, and constant shifting of commitments are unacceptable. NPOs provide critical services to the elderly, homeless persons, people battling substance abuse and children, among other vulnerable communities. When the department arbitrarily reduces beneficiary numbers, it effectively decides who receives assistance and who must be left behind.
The Premier Panyaza Lesufi-led Gauteng government has clearly learned nothing from the disastrous 2023 NPO funding crisis and reprioritisation.
The DA will write to the Chairperson of the Social Development Portfolio Committee, Dr Tlou Chokoe, to request that he organise an urgent oversight meeting and summon the MEC and HOD to come and account for this mess. They must explain how they will urgently resolve the crisis and ensure immediate payment of all outstanding NPO subsidies.
The DA is the only party capable of ending the NPO funding crisis. A DA-led Gauteng government will introduce transparent, compliant NPO payment systems, enforce accountability, and ensure that organisations receive timely funding to serve all vulnerable communities without disruption.