government
The DA in Gauteng has criticised the provincial Department of Social Development for failing to spend R90 million, leaving thousands of vulnerable children without food, shelter, and essential services. It called for stricter financial management, faster procurement, and the filling of vacant social worker posts to protect children’s welfare.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has criticised the province's Department of Social Development for failing to spend its budget, leaving thousands of vulnerable children without essential welfare services.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development Refiloe Nt’sekhe said stricter financial management is needed to ensure funds allocated for food parcels, shelters, and childcare are fully used.
According to the department’s 2024/25 Annual Report, R90 million intended to feed, house, and protect children was not spent. The underspending has denied an estimated 32,000 children access to essential programmes including food parcels, drop-in centres, foster care, adoption, and diversion services.
The report shows that Programme 3, which focuses on Children and Families, was underspent by R5.5 million. This affected shelters, child and youth care centres, and community-based child programmes.
Programme 4, which funds Restorative Services, had R25 million unspent, denying child victims and young offenders access to trauma counselling and diversion support.
Programme 5, known as Development and Research, underspent R59.8 million. This programme supports food parcels, dignity packs, and pro-poor initiatives despite the high levels of hunger among children in Gauteng’s poorest communities.
The party said these figures show poor financial controls, weak supply chain management, and unfilled posts, all of which harm children.
Nt’sekhe said, “Thousands of vulnerable children in Gauteng have been left without food, shelter, or protection because the department failed to spend the money allocated to them. The government must act immediately to ensure that these essential services reach the children who need them most.”
She added, “A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would implement a 30-day procurement turnaround for critical services such as food parcels, dignity packs, and emergency shelters. We would also fill all vacant social worker and child protection posts and focus on programmes that are rooted in evidence and serve our communities effectively.”
The party said it will continue to pressure the department and its MEC Faith Mazibuko to ensure budgets for food parcels, shelters, and childcare are protected from political interference or administrative failures.
