MEC Boitumelo Moiloa says there is no truth in the allegations that food parcels have allegedly been locked in a storeroom in Matlosana, waiting for her to deliver in person for the purpose of media coverage.

Moiloa has challenged the DA in the province to produce substantive evidence of any corruption over the distribution of these food parcels in various communities in the province. 

The DA's Gavin Watson said they have been informed that a company belonging to the former MEC of the department has been awarded to distribute the food parcels in Kagisano Molopo which include Ganyesa. Watson further said it is alleged that the distributors in Khuma near Klerksdorp help themselves to some items from the packages before distributing the leftovers to the community. 

"Furthermore, the Department of Social Development this week issued a poster with contact details of district coordinators of the food parcel project, but the DA can confirm that the numbers for Ngaka Modiri Molema District rings without any answer. The handling of the food relief programme in North West is a serious injustice to the poor in urgent need of food and clearly warrants an investigation, " he adds. 

Watson further adds that the DA is also concerned about serious allegations of factional battles concerning suppliers across the province. 

However, Moiloa says the department would like to make it clear that the department has never issued a pamphlet with contact details of coordinators at district offices. 

"The department in collaboration with its entity, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), uses the toll-free number 0800 601 011 and 0183 973 360 at the regional call centre situated in Mahikeng to handle all applications for social relief from distressed families during the lockdown period. 

"We have currently handled 2 790 calls across the province at our regional call centre and out of these numbers, 382 calls are from the Ngaka Modiri Molema district, " Moiloa adds.

The province has so far recorded 24 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, 13 recoveries and no deaths. To date, 580 000 people have been screened.

Meanwhile, OFM News previously reported that councillors belonging to the ruling ANC party in the Northern Cape have been condemned for the manner in which they have been distributing food parcels across the province. This after some residents accused their ward councillors of using the food parcels for campaigning purposes.

This also led to commendation by the political party Cope which said President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Coronavirus National Command Council must intervene in the distribution of food parcels across communities in the country.

The National spokesperson of Cope, Dennis Bloem, said the allegations of corruption and favouritism with regards to the distribution of relief food parcels during the lockdown must not be taken lightly.

OFM News