By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has called on Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to be patient, as it finalises on the investigation and the adjudication of applications for the next financial year.
The Department says it has noted that there was much anxiety amongst some NPOs, who want to know how far the process is and the outcomes of the investigation as the processing of applications takes place this year in a climate of investigations, where troubling findings were being made.
Themba Gadebe, from the MEC’s office said, “It is in this regard that caution, and due care is taken and applied to protect the process without compromising the much-needed aid required by our beneficiaries.
“The Department remains committed to working with compliant and performing NPOs and those who are successful will be informed accordingly before the end of the month of March, in line with the Department’s projections.
“In addition, whilst the Department welcomes NPOs contacting the Department, the attempts by some to intimidate and interfere with the work of the Department will not be tolerated and legal actions will be taken in this regard.”
Gadebe said the Department requested NPOs to conduct themselves in an orderly manner, and to be cautious of instigators under investigation who seek to turn them into their human shields by embroiling them in unwarranted protest action, when there remains no reason for such.
He said the investigation would be concluded soon, and its damning outcomes will be revealed.
“The Department remains committed to our country’s developmental agenda and appreciate the importance of work conducted by NPOs. The Department reiterates its unwavering commitment to working with civil society organisations to develop society, whilst ensuring the NPO funding environment subscribes to good governance, ethics and transparency.”