The Gauteng Department of Social Development’s (GDSD) MECs refuse to respond to questions about important issues related to the department. This failure to respond undermines the ability of the Social Development Portfolio Committee members to effectively conduct oversight of the department and denies Gauteng residents their right to be informed.
Some unanswered questions from the previous MEC, Mbali Hlophe, were tabled on 05 March 2024. These questions were later presented again to the new MEC of Social Development, Faith Mazibuko, on 12 July 2024. She has also not responded to these written questions. When reviewing the submitted questions, it appears there is a deliberate attempt by both the previous and current MECs to conceal information.
Most unanswered questions revolve around significant issues concerning the welfare sector in Gauteng.
- Why the address for the adjudication process submission of documents was changed on the deadline date to GDARD and not GDSD’s own address?
- The composition of the NPO adjudication committee.
- The adjudication report contains information on which NPOs were successful in their application for funding.
- The funding model and formula used for each sector that the department is funding.
- The suspension of the 13 senior officials in the department.
- Questions around food banks.
- The monitoring and evaluation of NPOs.
- All forensic audits that were conducted in the department, the organisations conducting them, their outcomes, and recommendations
- Deviations undertaken in the department.
- Irregular expenditures in the department.
The legislature rules allow members to ask questions for written and oral replies to the Premier and MECs. Once published on the question paper, they have to be answered within 10 days. In Gauteng, it appears that different rules apply, as the Democratic Alliance (DA) has not received responses from the former and current MEC of Social Development.
If these questions had been addressed, whistleblowers would not have needed to disclose information, putting themselves and their lives at risk. This responsibility would have been fulfilled by members of the portfolio tasked with overseeing this department.
The main concern when questions go unanswered is the perception that political leaders and their departments are hiding important information. Failure to respond may suggest that there is something to conceal, such as wasteful spending, corruption, irregular expenditures, or even state looting, all of which negatively impact the vulnerable people of Gauteng.
The DA will write to the Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, Morakane Mosupyoe, regarding the GDSD MEC’s failure to respond to our questions. If the Speaker does not take action to ensure the MEC replies, we will submit a PAIA application.
A responsible Democratic Alliance (DA) government would ensure that questions from members of the legislature are addressed. This practice would promote transparency and accountability regarding public funds. Since these members represent the voices of the public who elected them, the public must know how their tax money is being used and managed.