According to the department, an amount of R25m was allocated for SRD by the department this quarter. However, during engagements between the MEC and departmental management, NPOs cited lack of capacity as one of the reasons they are unable to meet the demand.
Khoza said she was concerned about the inconsistencies of officials tasked with the responsibility to work closely with the NPOs to provide services to those in need.
“It is impossible that the department can pay such a huge amount of money to benefit the poor, but only to be told that the [money] was exhausted without producing any portfolio of evidence.
“We cannot accept that SRD only reached a few beneficiaries, but the funds have already been exhausted. These NPOs, together with officials responsible, should provide us with evidence as to where and when the food was delivered,” Khoza said.
“Any NPO that receives money from the department to serve the people should account for every cent used. We have since directed the head of department, Nelisiwe Vilakazi, to institute an investigation into the matter," Khoza said.
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