By Doreen Mokgolo
The Gauteng MEC for Social Development Mbali Hlophe has rubbished allegations that the department is failing to provide food to the needy in the province.
On Wednesday, the DA announced that the food banks lacked stock in the five regions they visited recently.
The DA’s shadow MEC for social development, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, said the food banks continue to receive salaries from the Gauteng social development department without being assigned the responsibility of handing out food.
“Some warehouses had empty shelves for food parcel ingredients,” she said.
Hlophe responded by saying that the DA statement is aimed at driving a political agenda and causing panic among beneficiaries.
“We have a variety of food security programmes — which are not limited to food within our food bank — that are being implemented,” she said.
“Non-profit organisations are tasked with the care and aid of the elderly, HIV/Aids patients, the homeless and indigents through our Community Nutrition and Development Centre as well as our drop-in centres. These NPOs provide daily nutritious meals and food parcels.”
The MEC further criticised Nt’sekhe for her “selective memory” when she had had access to the latest report and plans set by the department.
Pictured above: Gauteng MEC for Social Development Mbali Hlophe.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
