Govt officials accused of keeping food parcels for family members
The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Tshwane announced it had opened a case of fraud and corruption against the officials.
The Gauteng social development department was not aware of any case against it this week with regards to accusations that its officials were allegedly keeping food parcels meant for the poor for their own families.
“We are not aware of any case reported against the department regarding corruption,” said department spokesperson Thabiso Hlongwane.
“We would like the whistle blower to also report these officials to us so that we can attend to them without delay.”
This comes after the DA in Gauteng and Sanco in Tshwane both accused officials of handing out parcels to their families instead of the poor.
“Department officials and some politicians have allegedly been stealing and unfairly distributing food parcels that are meant to assist financially strained families during this lockdown period,” said DA Gauteng shadow MEC for social development Refiloe Nt’sekhe.
ALSO READ: Respect decision over Tshwane – political parties warned
The alleged stealing of food parcels had also been reported by Sanco, who announced this week they had opened a court case against the department.
“It is high time that both the department officials and politicians be reminded that these food parcels are meant for the poor so that they have sufficient sustenance during the period of national lockdown,” Nt’sekhe said.
“We call on acting social development MEC, Panyaza Lesufi to urgently investigate the allegations. Should it be found that these allegations are true, those implicated should be dealt with accordingly.”
Sanco said it was particularly concerning that people have decided to use a national disaster to “advance their narrow and selfish political agendas at the expense of people who need these services more than ever”.
Tshwane Sanco regional secretary Abram Mashishi said the organisation had opened a case of fraud and corruption against the officials.
“They go to distribution centres under the guise of giving people all over Pretoria parcels but then only visit Mamelodi as the rest of the area suffers.
“There have been endless lists of the poorest of the poor who need groceries but officials are conniving with politicians to advance their narrow and selfish agendas.”
ALSO READ: Tshwane metro urge residents to use local clinics
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
