[ad_1]
By Sakhiseni Nxumalo and Thami Magubane 
3h ago
Some councilors have been criticized for looting food packages and for distributing food packages along political lines.
According to community activist Mary de Haas, there are reports that councilors-elect were handing out food packages destined for the poor to their families, friends and allies.
She said that complaints had been received in KZN Midlands, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Dannhauser and Nquthu.
“Among those making these allegations are political supporters who are upset with what is happening in their communities. These reports suggest that endemic corruption continues to dominate government, regardless of the consequences. The divisions between those who have and those who do not have are exacerbated, ”he said.
De Haas warned that high tensions are likely to turn into overt violence, adding that this may trigger further repression by overly stretched security forces.
“All because of greed and corruption that continues to control with absolute impunity, this greed virus can end up killing more than Covid-19, as people need food to take medicine,” he added.
South African KZN Trade Union Congress Secretary Edwin Mkhize said they had also received reports of food package corruption.
“Throughout the province, our comrades are being informed about this on the left and on the right. This is just embarrassing, “said Mkhize.
He said using ward councilors was a bad move, since many had their own political agendas.
DA Provincial Leader Zwakele Mncwango said he had to use his own money to buy food packages for some residents in Nongoma.
“I wrote to the Social Development department last week to ask for food packages for some of the residents of Nongoma, to date, there has been nothing. I had to use my money to buy some for the residents. ”
He said the area is also facing severe water shortages and that he had to arrange for oil tankers to visit the affected areas.
The leader of the South African National Civic Organization in the Midlands, Fanele Sibisi, said they had received complaints in the neighborhoods of Msunduzi, Howick, Impendle and Mshwathi municipalities. He said the main complaint was that the indigent communities did not receive food packages and that they were distributed to friends and comrades.
“There is also a problem with the distribution of water through tanks and jojo tanks, but that is not as serious as the problem of food parcels,” he said.
KZN Social Development Department spokesperson Mhlabunzima Memela said the department was aware of the allegations.
He said that MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza called an urgent meeting to intervene.
“We have also heard that there are people who have been excluded by neighborhood councilors from being beneficiaries of food packages,” said Memela.
He said they would ask the government’s flagship program in the province, Operation Sukuma Sakhe and the District Team to investigate the matter.
“It is against the law. This is government aid and not politics. No one should be excluded, regardless of their political affiliation. We just want to make sure that communities in need do not fall asleep on an empty stomach.
“The department will meet with all relevant parties, and we are also asking communities to report acts of corruption by contacting the MEC or reporting to the mayor’s office,” he said.
Memela said those caught in the act would violate government policy and face the law.
The Mercury
[ad_2]
