Gauteng Food Banks Face Crisis as Funding Dries Up Amid Stockpile of Undistributed Parcels

A dire situation has emerged in Gauteng food banks as thousands of ready-to-distribute food parcels remain stored, gathering dust, instead of reaching the intended low-income households due to the Gauteng Department of Social Development's financial constraints.

In a critical assessment of the province's efforts to combat food insecurity, it has been revealed that non-profit organisations contracted by the government to dispense these parcels lack the necessary funds to carry out their distribution. These organisations depend on the department for financial support through established tender processes.

The food crisis was exacerbated during the 2023/24 financial period when the Gauteng Department of Social Development experienced significant delays in its tender process to appoint suppliers, a circumstance which resulted in a stocking hiatus that lasted nine months. Moreover, in September 2023, the tender, when concluded, was not awarded due to insufficient provisions, including seeds for household vegetable gardens.

To mitigate the situation, the department, in February 2024, invoked emergency regulation powers to award contracts to 15 suppliers for an exorbitant R22-million. This decision, meant as a stopgap to ease the soaring rates of food insecurity, was a deviation from standard procurement processes.

15 suppliers from a central database were hastily brought on board, and contracts spanning three months were signed, with the objective of replenishing food bank inventories. However, the contracts coincided with the conclusion of the financial year, and by March 2024, the food banks' previously allocated funds had been exhausted. Subsequently, the consignment of food parcels delivered in April could not be distributed due to the absence of operational funds.

Internal documentation from the department pointed to approved additional funds to support the food banks' distribution activities. Nonetheless, two food banks contacted reported a lack of financial assistance from the department since the last allocation – a concerning sign of bureaucratic impasse.

Efforts to hold the department accountable were met with silence, as repeated inquiries went unanswered. The department's public relations activities, which included postings of new MEC for Social Development, Faith Mazibuko, visiting food banks, have done little to address the plight of the hungry and have instead portrayed a facade of action.

The practice of bypassing established tender processes has become a pattern for the department. Documents leaked indicated several companies benefiting from multiple emergency procurement allocations, including the supply of 1.7-million dignity packs.

Public records depict a December 2023 festive season campaign involving the department and its officials, further highlighting the lack of a transparent procurement process. A connection between this campaign and the emergency contracting of food parcel suppliers poses a question of propriety for company owners like Zain Abubaker, who deny any conflict of interest between separate contracts secured with different entities.

The documented authorisation of expenditure for these campaigns by heads of department and financial officers suggests intricacies of governance that may warrant a closer inspection. A notable reticence on the part of organisations like Ithemba Labantu Development Centre to discuss details of their involvement could amplify concerns over transparency.