‘Distribute food parcels within confines of the law’ – Lesufi
There are a number of regulations announced that include social distancing, which are contravened in most of the distributions conducted outside social development.
Acting MEC for Social Development Panyaza Lesufi has raised concerns over the regulations that are not kept in most distributions of food parcels during the lockdown period.
Lesufi said the department of social development was facilitating and receiving donations from all organisations, civil society bodies and individual citizens and asked that people engage the department should they wish to make direct donations.
“We welcome and acknowledge the work done by donors who continue to donate food parcels across the province,” he said.
“However, it must be noted that there are a number of regulations announced, that include social distancing, which are contravened in most of the distributions conducted outside social development.”
He said for proper coordination, the department request that all donations must be delivered at 30 Mandy Road, Booysens (City of Johannesburg).
However, companies or organisation that wish to donate directly to the public or families are urged to distribute within the confines of the law.
The regulations stipulate that a person performing essential duties must be duly designated in writing by the head of an institution. This is inclusive of those distributing food.
“We note that we are faced with a crisis and everyone wants to assist, however, if this process is not managed accordingly, it can hamper all our efforts,” he said.
The requirements for approval from the department of social development are as follows:
Delivery of donations to the warehouse. You will need to supply:
– Name of the business or company or organisation, address and contact numbers (if it is an NPO, include the NPO registration number)
– Donation content
– Date and time of delivery
Direct distribution to communities:
An authorisation letter from the department, which will contain the following:
– Name of the business or company or organisation, address and contact numbers (if it is an NPO, include the NPO registration number)
– Targeted area, date and time
– Content of the food relief and quantities
All applications should be submitted to the department in no less than 48 hours before the distribution date.
Upon receipt of the authorisation letter from the department, the organisation must inform the local police station prior to the delivery of food supplies (for enforcement of law and order).
If food will be distributed at a central place, the following are compulsory:
-If more than 50 beneficiaries are targeted, a distribution plan must be submitted to SAPS with the application so that public order policing can be involved in the planning.
– Social distancing and sanitisation must be enforced (in line with relevant health guidelines).
– Distribution must be done in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Social Development and/or Social Development within a municipality (including collection of distribution data).
– In case circumstances and resources permit food relief beneficiaries must include those sourced from the department’s pre-qualified database (call centre referrals).
– Beneficiaries details or attendance register must be kept (ID numbers, addresses, contact number, number of people in the household, etc.) and same must be shared with GDSD.
– Expiry dates of good must be confirmed by government officials (GDSD or SAPS or environmental health officials) – and consumables without expiry dates must not be allowed for distribution.
– Donors must take full responsibility and accountability for the quality of food distributed (compliance to health and environmental safety standards) and as well as any other risk involved.
“This system will ensure that we can all work together efficiently and effectively. If we all do our part this will also ensure that we all adhere to the regulations and we can also improve our services and avoid duplications,” said MEC Lesufi.
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