Mayor ‘cut funds’ to NGOs for poor

INCREASES CASH TO ENTITY HE WAS INVOLVED IN ANC says Field Band anti-drug foundation isn’t seen in Westbury.

City of Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba has been accused of diverting funds to his “favourite” foundation, while side-lining other community-based organisations within the metro.

The ANC is accusing Mashaba of allegedly diverting about R11 million to Field Band Foundation, a nongovernment organisation that fights against substance abuse in communities. The mayor was involved with this foundation for 16 years.

According to the ANC in Joburg, the mayor cut the budgets of many community organisations while increasing that of Field Band Foundation.

Addressing members of the party during their mass march to the city council in Braamfontein, ANC regional chairperson Geoff Makhubo accused Mashaba of corruption.

Makhubo said that communities had long relied on community-based organisations, which provided very important services.

“These nongovernmental organisations applied for funding and they [the city] refused.

“But funds were given to one nongovernmental organisation that belongs to Field Band Foundation,” claimed Makhubo.

He said Mashaba’s administration had given funds to the foundation on the basis that they dealt with drug and alcohol abuse.

He questioned where the foundation was now. “Westbury is burning, but Field Band Foundation is not there and it’s burning because of drugs.

“We say they must increase funding for all the NGOs and go and demand money from that drum majorette NGO that is supposed to deal with drugs and alcohol abuse.

“They’ve given them so much money and those that previously dealt with these problems have been denied money.”

Mashaba could not be reached for comment and he was not available to meet ANC marchers. Instead, he sent his deputy and the city’s member of the mayoral committee for finance Funzela Ngobeni.

According to ANC regional leader Matshidiso Mfikoe, a letter was handed over requesting Mashaba make himself available to receive their memorandum.

“We were expecting him to be here and respond to all our demands. This shows that he is afraid and is hiding behind his fellow stooges,” said Mfikoe.

Ngobeni promised to convey the message to other senior managers within the city and that there would be a response from them before the October 31 deadline. – Caxton News Service

Communities have long relied on NGOs in their areas.