Disabled community in distress over budget cuts
Many people are still left outraged by the Department of Social Development's decision to cut funding.
Those who work at the Tshwaranang Lekgothlelle Munsieville Disabled People Organisation are still in shock over the decision by the department to cut funding.
On April 14, both non-profit organisations (NPO) and temporary workers expressed their anger outside the offices of the Department of Social Development in the Krugersdorp CBD after they were informed that there would be a budget reprioritising for the 2023/ 2024 financial year. The budget reprioritising means that the salaries of temporary workers, specifically part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) would be reduced and funding of non-profit organisations cut.
Also read: Temporary workers, NPOs express their anger over budget cuts
Tshwaranang Lekgothlelle was established in late 2009 and was a safe haven for disabled community members who live in Munsieville to be assisted and taken care of. The center was not only a center to assist those with special needs but a place where they could be provided with basic needs such as food medication and wheelchairs.
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”Many who use the services of the center come from poor homes where they barely have any access to the necessities we provide for them,” said Booysen Smith, one of the volunteers at the center.
Steven Mokwane has been using the center for two years and is heartbroken over the decision to cut funding.
“I have nowhere else to go and cannot afford a caretaker to come to my aid at home,” said Steven.
Lesly Mosalakgotla, another disabled community member was angry after finding the center could be closed down.
“In their eyes we are disposable and there is nothing we can do,” said Lesley.
While the workers can confirm that the center has been receiving funding they argue that it has not been enough to assist the center to continue running smoothly.
Khumo Letshwene has been working at the center for nine years and says that the department was not doing enough.
“We get funding but we have over 100 people to cater for every week. If that is not enough we have a building that is falling apart and we have already experienced four burglaries this year. It’s not fair but we have to live with it.”
The NPO hopes their grievances with the department get attention as they have never heard from the department since the decision was made.
