Donors need to follow the rules, warns Gauteng Social Development
The Department of Social Development in Gauteng has expressed concern over the failure by some donors to follow lockdown regulations when delivering food parcels to communities.
This comes amid warnings that the country’s hunger crisis is being exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on the impact and awareness of the coronavirus amongst South Africans, between 45% and 63% of participants reported that the lockdown would make it difficult to pay bills, debts, earn income, feed their families and keep their jobs.
The department says while it welcomes the work done by donors, it has noticed that some of the regulations, including social distancing, are not being followed.
The department's spokesperson Thabiso Hlongwane says they continue to receive scores of requests for permits from donors who want to distribute food in communities.
"The regulations stipulate that a person performing essential duties must be duly designated in writing by the head of the institution. This is inclusive of those that distribute food to the masses.
All partners are required to fully comply with the provisions of the regulations.”
The guidelines require all donors to be in possession of a letter of authorisation from the department.
The expiry dates of goods must also be checked by government.
Hlongwane warns that donors need to take full responsibility for the quality of the food, as well as the compliance with health and safety standards.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) recently opened a fraud case against a company, which makes ready-to-eat meals, for allegedly supplying it with expired ration packs.
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