The FF Plus is concerned that approximately 203 279 non-profit organisations run the risk of having to close their doors after failing to submit annual reports.
A total of 41 787 institutions have received notice and aid to 6 221 has already been terminated.
When the figures were released, the Department of Social Development stated that there should be “accountability and transparency” from organisations’ side.
The FF Plus is of the opinion that the Non-Profit Organisations Act should be adhered to, but closing down more than 200 000 organisations will cause an absolute social crisis in South Africa.
The Department should rather assist organisations to comply with the relevant legislation.
The Department also cannot point fingers if its own house is not in order and it is not accountable.
The Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Gladys Tolashe, should be called to account for her Department allowing Sassa officials and directors to claim social grants, and she should explain what steps have been taken against these officials.
The FF Plus would like to see these officials charged, arrested and brought before the court.
Moreover, the Department’s irregular expenditure amounted to a staggering R67 billion during the 2023/24 financial year. Applicants for grants for children and the elderly also indicated in 2024 that their applications were approved, but that the grants were not paid out.
The Minister herself failed to implement parliamentary recommendations to fill the vacancies in her Department during the 2022/23 financial year.
Clearly, the Minister is also not accountable. The Department’s performance declined in 2023/24 as well.
There were incidents in the past where the Gauteng Department of Social Development failed to pay out funds even though all the administration and contracts were in place.
The courts had to intervene to keep the non-profit organisations from closing their doors.
The grants currently paid to children’s homes are insufficient, and the FF Plus laments the fact that the rights of children, the elderly and vulnerable in our communities are being trampled as they are not properly cared for.
The Minister and Department need to get their affairs in order to save South Africa from a complete and utter social and humanitarian crisis.
The FF Plus will send a letter to the Minister to suggest that the problem could be addressed by assisting organisations instead of summarily closing and scrapping them.
