'No plans' to defund NPOs in Gauteng, assures MEC

'No plans' to defund NPOs in Gauteng, assures MEC

Gauteng Social Development MEC Mbali Hlophe says the provincial government has no plans to defund non-profit organisations operating in the province.

Children's home generic
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The assurance came as some NPOs prepared to protest outside the department's building over the issue of funding.


 


The department reduced the NPOs budget by R400 million from the main appropriation budget of R2.3 billion in the 2023/2024 financial year to R1.96 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year.


 


The department’s budget has also decreased from R5.5 billion in the 2023/2024 financial year to R5.4 billion in the 2024/2025 budget.


 


This was revealed by the province's MEC for Finance, Jacob Mamabolo, during the recent provincial budget speech.


 


In a bid to block the NPOs' protest, the Department of Social Development took the matter to court.


 


But the application was dismissed.


 


The department’s spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, said the department stopped funding some NPOs due to non-compliance.


 


"Compliance is an important anchor of governance, transparency and ethos, and remains the responsibility of NPOs to be always in good standing, ensuring safe keeping and care of our beloved beneficiaries.


 


"The NPOs who, for one reason or another, are rejected may make representations, and if there are justifiable reasons to reconsider, the Department will certainly do. This will be on a case-by-case basis.”


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