The post International Day for Older Persons: Lesufi’s Gauteng government fails to protect the elderly, 263 abuse cases reported appeared first on MDNtv.
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Replying to questions posed by the DA, the MEC for GDSD, Faith Mazibuko, revealed that 263 elderly abuse cases were reported to the department by concerned citizens, NPOs, family members and victims themselves between January 2020 and June 2025. She further indicated that 18 of these abuse cases originated from various residential centres, with 25 identified perpetrators being caregivers.
These figures are shocking and illustrate a disturbing reality regarding the treatment of people who should be enjoying their twilight years in safety and dignity, but are neglected, mistreated, and abused, often at the hands of those entrusted with their care. Furthermore, these figures demonstrate the department’s failure to properly vet caregivers for our elderly, ensuring they possess the appropriate demeanour and knowledge for their care.
A society is as good as how it treats its most vulnerable; by these standards, Gauteng is not on the right track. The DA will engage MEC Mazibuko to determine measures being taken to ensure the safety of our senior citizens. We want to know what is being done to maintain their safety and welfare, and where possible, criminal cases should be opened against the perpetrators.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would ensure stronger oversight, enforcement, and widespread public education to foster respect, protection, and care for the elderly in our province. In the interim, we will continue to hold the department accountable, ensuring that none of our elderly are betrayed by the very systems meant to shield them from harm.
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]]>The post Gauteng girls go without sanitary pads as Social Development underspends R102 million appeared first on MDNtv.
]]>These unspent funds could have gone towards vital Restorative Services and Poverty Alleviation initiatives — including the provision of sanitary supplies, which are essential for the dignity and health of young girls in our province.
Many girls in South Africa miss several days of school each year due to a lack of access to sanitary towels. Often, they are forced to use unhygienic alternatives, such as newspapers and rags. This not only endangers their health but also disrupts their education and affects their dignity.
During a recent oversight visit to a school in Tembisa, the school principal informed the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng that many girl learners struggle to access sanitary pads. He shared that while one girl might receive a pack, she may have to share it with six other women at home. Additionally, donations are infrequent, leaving the girls to face ongoing challenges. Likewise, the DA has learned of another school in the province where 300 girls in Grades 8 and 9 are in desperate need of sanitary pads.
These examples underscore the plight of many young girls in Gauteng. Sanitary pads are essential tools that ensure girls stay in school and reach their full potential, regardless of their economic circumstances. In impoverished homes where parents struggle to make ends meet, sanitary pads are increasingly becoming an added financial burden, competing for the limited resources within these households.
The DA demands accountability for this underutilisation, which reflects a longstanding pattern of mismanagement within the department. This department must ensure that girls remain in school and receive the education they need.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would ensure that, despite limited government funds, allocated resources are never returned but used to serve the people of Gauteng. We would have proper financial management in the Department of Social Development that would effectively and efficiently utilise the available budget ensuring no opportunity for corruption as well as minimal waste.
The DA will continue to fight for access to sanitary products, recognising that sanitary pads are crucial for enabling girl learners to stay in school, fully engage with their education, and work towards a brighter future.
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The post Gauteng girls go without sanitary pads as Social Development underspends R102 million appeared first on MDNtv.
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