IFP unhappy with Department of Social Development’s poor track record
Calls for social development MEC to monitor her department
THE IFP has expressed its dismay about what it claims to be the KZN Department of Social Development’s performance.
At a KZN Social Development Portfolio Committee meeting held recently, the department reported an underachievement in 18 out of 48 performance indicators in the second quarter of the 2019/2020 financial year.
IFP spokesperson on social development, Les Govender, has called on MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza to closely monitor the situation.
‘Keeping in mind that it is the department that presents an annual performance plan with clear performance indicators, it is unacceptable that it does not achieve what it has planned,’ said Govender.
‘It is of serious concern that in one instance the department reported a 13% underachievement in care of the elderly owing to the underreporting of cases. There are two unregistered old age homes, one in Pietermaritzburg and the other in Kokstad, where alleged cases of abuse of the elderly have been brought to the attention of the portfolio committee.
‘It is obvious that social workers and NGOs in the province are not functioning as they are supposed to, and as a result the elderly are becoming victims.’
Govender said the department reported a huge increase in child abuse cases, but was not able to provide any strategies to address the problem.
‘It became obvious that two of the most vulnerable sectors of our community are being let down by this department.
The elderly and our children are at risk on a daily basis but the department is not fulfilling its core mandate.
‘When the third quarter report was presented, it was realised that the situation was even worse. We are fearful that if this situation is allowed to continue, the department will collapse and our citizens will be the victims of the very department that is tasked with their well-being,’ said Govender.
‘While the HOD is under investigation for fraud, there are a number of vacant posts within the department.
‘We cannot see how this department will be able to provide crucial services to the citizens of KZN.’
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