UDM KwaZulu-Natal raises concern over delayed payments to struggling NPOs
Statement by Remington Mazibuko, Provincial Chairperson of the UDM in KwaZulu-Natal
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in KwaZulu-Natal expresses its deep concern and disappointment over the ongoing delays in payments to non-profit organisations (NPOs) by the provincial Department of Social Development.
These delays are not just administrative issues; they are putting the lives of vulnerable people at serious risk.
The department recently informed NPOs about monthly empty promise that the first payments for the 2025 financial year are likely to be made at the end of April, even though organisations have been without funding since February.
This delay has left many charities and welfare organisations without the funds they need to pay staff, buy food and provide essential services to children, elderly and those in need.
People are suffering, children are going to bed hungry, old-age homes cannot afford items such as medicine or adult diapers. Organisations offering mental health support and care for the vulnerable are facing closure. Staff have gone unpaid; some have taken out loans just to survive and many NPOs are now being forced to cut salaries or even consider retrenchments.
The UDM notes that it is not the first time these delays have happened. Since the department introduced the new tranche system in 2023, NPOs have repeatedly experienced late payments.
This latest delay allegedly caused by challenges with the Basic Accounting System (BAS) and changes from National Treasury, is yet another example of poor planning and a lack of urgency from government.
Many organisations have apparently tried to get answers last month but were only officially informed of the delay through a circular sent out last week. The UDM KwaZulu-Natal therefore condemns the lack of proper communication from the Social Development.
We cannot expect organisations to serve communities while the provincial government delays their funding without any accountability. These are the same NPOs that the government relies on to deliver critical social services.
The UDM calls on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development and National Treasury to resolve these payment issues immediately.
We further call for a full review of the tranche payment system and for urgent interventions to prevent these delays from happening again.
This is a crisis, real lives are being affected. Government must act with the seriousness this situation deserves.
