The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal says that it is important that the financial resources of the state be allocated on the basis of need, and not on the basis of who is in office at a given time. Politicians in office come and go, and will always have different tastes and preferences. But the needs of the community always have a truthful colour, irrespective of who is in office at a given time.
In response to a question asked by the Hon. Mntomuhle Khawula, MPL, of the IFP, about what resources were spent by the KZN Department of Social Development in supporting former President Zuma during his term of office in his festive season programmes in Nkandla, and what type of programmes, the Department has given the following response. The Department stated that it assisted former President Zuma by providing support during the Children’s Christmas party for Nkandla children, and the RDP Education Trust for youth and children who were beneficiaries of the JG Zuma Foundation from 2012 to 2017. The Department also provided support in the programme for the Elderly and People with Disabilities, and children and families in need, through the same Foundation.
The support to these programmes for the children during the Zuma presidency totalled R1 824 800, and for the elderly, the support totalled R1 674 100, with a combined expenditure of R3 498 900 for the whole period while Mr JG Zuma was in office as President of South Africa.
The Department has since stopped providing this support.
The IFP wants to question what has happened to warrant no longer providing this support? Have the needs of the people of Nkandla changed since Zuma left office? If this was necessary support provided because the Department felt the need for intervention to improve the lives of the people, why should this stop when President Zuma vacated office?
Obviously, those in power now at Social Development are scared to cross paths with President Ramaphosa’s administration, which might result in their losing their deployment and office. This is very bad for the people who need a government service, if such service and assistance was provided sincerely and honestly, unless it was one of those ANC mobilisation programmes provided under the guise of government expenditure.
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Contact:
Hon. Mntomuhle B Khawula
IFP Member of the Provincial Legislature in KwaZulu-Natal
071 207 9445