NW Covid-19 food parcels used for ANC public relations

22 April 2020

Note to Editors: Kindly find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by DA North West Spokesperson on Health and Social Development, Gavin Edwards.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West has been inundated with desperate calls from residents who have not received any food relief assistance from the Department of Social Development as the lockdown measure implement begins to put strain on people’s income.

As previously reported, the DA is aware of the food parcels that are stored in warehouses for publicity purposes, as well as allegations that ANC Councillors are distributing food parcels to party supporters and even selling it to those in need.

The Department of Social Development has vehemently denied the allegations that the distribution of food parcels is used for politicking, but we can confirm that MEC Boitumelo Moiloa has distributed 1 800 food parcels in the presence of the media yesterday.

As part of the MEC’s programme for the day, she also attended a formal event where she posed for the media while accepting donations from various private companies, among which Sibanye Stillwater donated over 2 000 parcels. See pictures here and here.

This gathering is in contravention of lockdown regulations and defeats the purpose of the current extended lockdown under the national state of disaster.

MEC Moiloa and Premier Mokgoro previously received donations from Anglo Gold Ashanti amid a media frenzy in Orkney, Klerksdorp, on 9 April and shortly thereafter they invited the media to witness the food parcel donations from businessmen in Mafikeng on 11 April.

This public relations project raises eyebrows and begs the question of how food parcels will be distributed to all corners of the province if it solely depends on the MEC’s presence and media coverage.

The DA has submitted the full details of 3 034 people in need to MEC Moiloa for assistance, but to date, not one person has received a food parcel.

It is clear that the Department has failed in its mandate of Emergency Social Relief. Faced with a disaster of this magnitude, we simply cannot afford its antics of operating as a media front for the ANC.

The DA proposes that drop-off centres be established in municipalities by a non-government entity such as the Solidarity Fund to consolidate the number of donations and ensure unbiased distribution.

The Department must focus on the task at hand and refrain from turning essential services into public relations activities for party political purposes while flouting lockdown regulations

Issued by Gavin Edwards,DA North West Spokesperson on Health and Social Development, 22 April 2020