This after Qabathe vowed to improve the state of orphanages, old age homes, disability centres and direct more funds towards projects aimed at assisting victims of gender-based violence and those plagued by substance abuse. 

The EFF, DA and the Freedom Front Plus representatives in the Provincial Legislature all rejected the budget. 

The parties said it is appalling that there are more people dependant on social grants than people who are employed and that this department is not doing much to rescue the situation. 

They also alluded that there is a high need to empower the disabled and other vulnerable members of the society, including women and children, which in their view the department dismally fails to accomplish. 

The DA's David van Vuuren told the House that state subsidies to old age homes and orphanages must be increased to meet their needs and that the department must stop making late payments of these subsidies.

He highlighted that it is not acceptable that many of the NGOs in the province battle, not only to pay wages to caretakers but with basic operational needs such as food, clothes and bedding.

The parties also highlighted that the department urgently need to ensure that the rights of children and the elderly at centres in the province are protected.

Qabathe had announced that a total of R1,375 billion has been allocated to her department for the 2019/20 fiscal year.

OFM News