DA submits child welfare petition to parliament and SAHRC

OVER 2 000 signatures were collected in a petition by the DA demanding that the Department of Social Development fund East Rand child welfare organisations in full for services they provide on behalf of government, services government is obliged to provide by law.

A copy of the petition was also sent to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

The DA thanks all the people who took the time to sign the petition as many East Rand child welfare organisations are facing crippling financial shortages with government underfunding them by between 50 and 77 per cent.

Also read: 

• East Rand child welfare societies underfunded by 60 per cent

• Child welfare doors may be open but their lips are tightly sealed

The next step is for the Portfolio Committee on Social Development to deal with the petition and for the SAHRC to consider the weight of the petition with regard to their current investigation into the gross underfunding of children services.

The DA will continue monitoring this matter and will provide feedback to the public.