The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has filed a Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) application demanding the release of the Gauteng Department of Social Development’s adjudication report for Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs).
This move comes after ongoing delays in funding for NPOs in the province, which has impacted essential services for vulnerable residents.
The DA’s application seeks to compel MEC Faith Mazibuko and Premier Panyaza Lesufi to disclose the adjudication results for the 2024/2025 financial year. This follows the Gauteng Care Crisis Committee’s (GCCC) successful efforts to obtain three court orders requiring the department to address NPO funding issues.
The orders also mandated the department to release the results of the NPO adjudication process, a requirement that has yet to be fulfilled.
In court, Premier Lesufi and MEC Mazibuko acknowledged their failure to meet these obligations, offering apologies and promising to seek regular updates from the department.
However, the issue remains unresolved, with some NPOs receiving payments without signed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and others still waiting for payments despite having signed SLAs.
These inconsistencies were highlighted in court and confirmed in responses from MEC Mazibuko to questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
The DA has raised concerns about the legal fees spent defending the department’s inaction. While questions have been tabled in the legislature to determine how much taxpayer money has been used for these legal expenses, MEC Mazibuko has not provided a response.
In the absence of the required transparency, the DA has filed the PAIA application to obtain the adjudication report. The DA has also criticized the prolonged legal battle, arguing that resources should have been focused on resolving the funding issues rather than defending the department in court.
Looking ahead, the DA has expressed its intention to improve transparency in NPO funding if it leads the provincial government. It proposes that NPOs be informed of their funding status and given feedback if they do not qualify, allowing them to improve their chances in future funding cycles.
The DA has stated it will continue to press for accountability and the effective use of public funds, ensuring that vulnerable communities in Gauteng receive the support they need.