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Today, 21 January 2021, the Western Cape Standing Committee on Social Development will be briefed by the South African Social Security Agency in the Western Cape, representatives of the City of Cape Town, and the Western Cape Department of Social Development. MPP Gillion Bosman says: “Temporary disability grant recipients of the Western Cape have been …
“Through a written parliamentary reply, it was brought to light that the opening of six shelters for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) is once more delayed due to slow administration from the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI),” says Gillion Bosman, MPP, the DA Spokesperson on Social Development. The original delay was due …
Gillion Bosman, MPP, the DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Social Development says; In response to my letter to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the agency indicates that of the over 9 million Social Relief of Distress grant applicants countrywide, 820 724 applications were received for the Western Cape. A total of 391 911 …
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Social Development, Gillion Bosman, MPP says; “We welcome the High Court ruling in which the national Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, and all provincial MECs – except that of the Western Cape – are found to be in breach of their constitutional obligation to provide nutrition, social services, education, …
Gillion Bosman, MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Social Development says: I welcome the President’s announcement that the Covid-19 special grant will be extended for a further three months. This follows our call this week to Minister Lindiwe Zulu of national Social Development for an extension and for grants to be paid correctly, on-time. The …
A recent report by the Black Sash and London School of Economics (LSE) reveals a trend of financial lenders targeting social grant beneficiaries with excessive interest rates on low-risk loans. In some cases, lenders use child grants as collateral for loans despite this being an illegal practice. In the Western Cape, the report focused particularly …
At a meeting today of the provincial Community Safety Standing Committee, it was revealed by the Western Cape Police Ombudsman (WCPO) that 71% of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors were neither informed of their right to protection nor the right to be treated with fairness and respect at SAPS stations. MPP Bosman says: “The national Victim …
Statistics gathered by the Social Policy Network (SPN) reveals that across call centres, over 120,000 calls were made by gender-based and domestic violence survivors over the first three weeks of lockdown alone. An increase of 65% of such calls has taken place at Vodacom call centres. The backlog at the National Forensic Science Laboratories (NFSL) …
The national Department of Social Development (DSD) has allocated R1.3 billion to employ over 30,000 Early Childhood Development (ECD) ‘compliance monitors’ instead of much needed funds for ECDs themselves. This is reckless expenditure of emergency funding considering that many ECDs are financially crippled due to the extensive lockdown which allowed their reopening only late last …
A recent report by the National Coalition for Social Services (NACOSS) reveals that the Western Cape stands as an outstanding example of cooperation between government and non-profit organisations (NPOs). Whilst late and outstanding payments are recorded in other provinces, the Western Cape Department of Social Development pays NPOs on time, provides timeous updates, and continues …
Through oversight at post offices disbursing the Covid-19 emergency grant of R350, the DA in the Western Cape has identified that grant recipients are often turned away due to cash shortages. In other cases, recipients are robbed whilst standing in excessively long lines. MPP Gillion Bosman says: “I’ve witnessed that individuals are leaving post offices …
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) CEO, Ms Totsie Mamela, admits in writing that the agency conducted zero disability grant applications under lockdown levels 4 and 5. This is in response to a letter from the Chairperson of the Western Cape Social Development Committee. MPP Gillion Bosman comments: “I’ve been made aware by SASSA’s …
In response to a Parliamentary Question, the provincial Department of Social Development indicates that during all phases of the nationwide lockdown, it continues to provide out-of-centre essential child protection services. The Department has swiftly amended and implemented protocols to match the challenges of the pandemic. MPP Gillion Bosman says: “In the context of Covid-19, the …
The DA in the Western Cape is gravely dismayed that national government is preparing for the reopening of gambling venues, but is silent on a date for Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs). Gillion Bosman MPP says: “Today, national Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, tweeted that ECDs will reopen with a date ‘to be confirmed’. Her …
The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape notes the continued failing of the South African Social Support Agency’s (SASSA) as indicated by their irregular expenditure of over R1bn. In a recent briefing, the agency provided an outline of its abysmal financial standing and utterly poor management of human resources. Gillion Bosman MPP said: “SASSA is …
