On 08 November 2021 Step Up News published the article titled “Free State Social Development Officials Implicated in the R2.3 MILLION Saga yet to Face the music”
The article revealed that Department of Social Development officials stole a whopping R2.3 million meant for EPWP stipends.
This factor was revealed in a meeting held in September 2020. A year and four months later, no one has been held accountable.
In the previous communique with Step Up SA News, the acting HOD clarified that they are busy instituting disciplinary processes and the department will be laying criminal charges against Khula foundation and those implicated. “The department has instituted disciplinary action against officials involved, the matter is still in progress.” Acting HOD Advocate Tumelo Phahlo stated, yet to date, absolutely nothing has been done.
Step Up SA News article revealed that; according to the minutes of the Audit Committee which sat on the 3 December 2020, Khula Foundation CEO refused to account nor take the blame for the R2.3 million. She indicated they received instructions from officials of the Department to make payments of stipends to people who were not part of the list that they had.”
Step Up SA News reached out to the acting HOD Adv Tumelo Phahlo; for the development of this case, to no reply.
A source who spoke on condition on anonymity said the implicated officials are well connected.
“We know who stole that money and because of their proximity with politicians who use Social Developmentcas their cash cow nothing is going to happen to them. If you can investigate all these NPOs you will discover another state capture.”
Another source tasked Step Up SA News to investigate the sudden recruitment of social workers.
“There is R5 million that has been stolen and the sudden recruitment of contract social workers is to cover up for that theft, investigate this.”
This raises a concern of whether the Advocate is sleeping on the job or protecting his senior staff members.
Not forgetting that the money was stolen right under his supervision, and he received the report in the meeting.
The question remains, will the people responsible ever be held accountable, or just like most corrupt politicians’ cases will be swept under the glamorous carpets paid by taxpayers’ money.
Advocate Tumelo Phahlo, acting HOD at Social Development did not respond to our questions.
This is a developing story.
Covid money also to be investigated as officials who was assisting during pandemic till date they are not paid but money was released