NPOs cheer end to red tape curse

New system to introduce annual verification instead of quarterly

The social development department has assigned a seasoned information systems guru to develop a funding model which will see the department signing off multiyear contracts with state-funded NPOs.

Currently all NPOs, including early childhood centres – which cater for hundreds of young children – have to submit copies of identity documents, birth certificates and related affidavits on a quarterly base to secure allowances for the vulnerable people in their care.

The department’s spokesperson, Gcobani Maswana, said the move was the brainchild of HoD Ntombi Baart.

The “load of paperwork every three months” was the root cause of many of the administrative bungles that, in turn, led to delays in processing payand ments for the NPOs, Maswana explained.

The Dispatch reported on Monday that similar problems were experienced earlier this year, which had affected the processing of claims for the September to December quarter.

“The HoD came up with an idea a few months ago that Sunny Cheriyan, the head of information systems, must craft another funding model,” said Maswana.

“This improved system will overcome the challenges that contribute to the delayed payments.

“That is [because] the verification will be done through the system.

“The department has appointed Sunny Cheriyan to develop the pro-poor based funding model that will assist the emerging NPOs,” he said.

The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), an NGO based in East London – which has helped more than 450 recovering drug addicts with treatment services including individual therapy, group therapy, occupational therapy, detoxification and medical management – has been one of the NPOs adversely affected in the province every time there is an admin hold-up with payments.

A senior social worker there, Rhiannon Bond, said the plan to overhaul the system so that paperwork could be verified annually instead of quarterly “is fantastic”.

The Eastern Cape may the only province left still using the three-month system, she said.

“Other provinces deal with this on [an] annual basis.”

Bond said they had 20 fulltime employees but the social development department only subsidised social workers, and a few other full-time employees.

“For the rest, such as cleaners other caregivers who help us during the 21-day treatment programme, we have to source funding elsewhere.

“Once the department fails to play its part, we are forced to lay off some staff and that affects our operations.

“So any method that will help in making payment processes as efficient as possible is most welcome,” said Bond.

The new model, which is being piloted already according to Maswana, would be rolled out in full on April 1.

Once the department fails to play its part, we are forced to lay off some staff Rhiannon Bond

This improved system will overcome challenges Gcobani Maswana Social development provincial spokesperson