Budget cuts: NPOs continue to apply pressure on govt with another protest
NPO and temporary workers are still angry over their demands not being met and embarked on another protest outside the offices of the Department of Social Development in the Krugersdorp CBD.
Many workers who are part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) are still frustrated after the Department of Social Development has not met their demands as yet nor given a response with regards to the decision made on April 5 that funding would be reduced.
Various protests have been taking place a week prior outside the offices of the Department of Social Development in the Krugersdorp CBD, however, today (April 19) it became more intense as workers expressed their frustration. Not only did workers gather and protest outside the offices again but did they block roads with burning tyres and objects which affected traffic.
Also read: Temporary workers, NPOs express their anger over budget cuts
Despite their efforts, the police were present to ensure the protest would not escalate and turn violent. They would eventually remove the objects on the road but the protestors remained.
Brenda Betty Manabele, who works for the Home-Based Pensioners Gym, like many other temporary workers demand answers.
Also read: Government issues warning to non-compliant NPOs
”We could have been working today and helping the elders, however, this issue has not been resolved. We set up a memorandum and we still haven’t heard anything from the department or the MEC.”
The budget cuts will lead to a lack of resources and according to the Gauteng Children Sector, there will be over 4 000 non-profit organisations being forced to shut down due to this decision. Many workers and non-profit organisations are pleading with the public to join them to resolve this issue.
