THE North West social development department came under fire after the provincial legislature’s portfolio committee visited few social development centres in Dr Ruth Mompati region recently.

The committee expressed concern on the way people at the centres are treated.

Committee chairperson, Motlalepula Rosho said that the department should prioritise on recruiting more skilled social workers who are passionate about their jobs.

“The campaign also promotes accountability and transparency in government. However I am disgusted at the lack of care that most social workers are giving NGO’s.

“This is a clear relegation of duties by social workers. We remain worried about appalling conditions of social development centres in Dr Ruth Mompati region,” Rosho said.

“We visited some of the centres including Thusanang Disability Centre. However it was evident that there is no progress. The support for social development centres is lacking. The centres that we previously visited, are still in the same bad condition,” she said.

Rosho said the social development department has not adequately attended to committee recommendations.  She said they found various challenges that were concerning to the welfare of the 53 people living with disabilities at the centre.

“Amongst others was the lack of support and monitoring that social workers are providing at the centre. The committee was more disturbed to learn that the department only budgets for 47 people at the centre instead of the 53 that is physically there. The department also allocates R205 000 per annum to fund the operation of the centre. This includes stipends for five employees, maintenance, resources as well as food for the centre,” she said.

The committee chairperson further indicated that the department continuously failed to achieve their target to recruit people with disabilities.

“We are also concerned with the delaying process of construction for the inpatient treatment centre building in Mahikeng too,” she said.

Principal at the centre, Lesego Thutang said: “The social workers only come when there is an administrative matter. Our situation is hopeless and there are many challenges that we are faced with on a daily basis. We experience low stipends and lack of skills. Our infrastructure also needs maintenance,” Thutang said.

However, social development department acting spokesperson, Petrus Siko said: “Social auxiliary workers have been tasked to draw and implement a list of activities on a daily basis to turn around the situation. This centre is not state run but receives funding from the department. All NPOs that receive funding from department will be thoroughly monitored across all districts.”

-TDN

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