In the small Eastern Cape town of Cradock, there was food available for those in need. The local Spar had donated 300 food parcels for distribution. But for days in late April, the food languished in a local community centre – despite the fact that the parcels included perishable vegetables.Daily MaverickWhat had happened was that the Spar donation had been handed over to the local municipality, as per lockdown regulations.
In Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, a notice was circulated by the municipal manager in late April laying out the “requirements” to be “adhered to” by private persons or organisations wishing to give out food parcels.All cooked or uncooked food parcels to be inspected and approved by environmental health inspectors prior to distribution;Clear details of what is being distributed, when, and to whom, must be provided to the municipality for sharing with the security cluster.
In a statement on Monday, DA spokesperson James Lorimer called on the government to realise that “centralising food relief through provinces or municipalities is inefficient and a gateway to corruption”. He pointed out that NGOs are frequently more familiar with communities and conditions on the ground than government officials.
Government reveling in its new-found power has shown utter callousness towards our millions of starving people. It is a disgrace!