Care centre on deadline

The police priority crime unit, the Hawks, is investigating allegations of financial maladministration at Father Smangaliso Mkhwatshwa Child and Youth Care Centre in Soshanguve, Tshwane.

This was revealed by Gauteng MEC for social development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza after an unannounced visit to the centre following allegations of child neglect, mismanagement of South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) funds, a general state of disrepair and reports of substance abuse.

“Some children have been moved and the centre has until March 2019 to be fully compliant,” she said.

“Even though allegations of mismanagement of Sassa funds sound improbable because no Sassa funds are administered at any of our child and youth care centres, we welcome the Hawks investigation.

“The Gauteng provincial government is committed to clean governance.

“We are happy for every allegation of irregularity to be investigated.”

Mayathula-Khoza praised the media for reporting on the situation, but said some aspects of the reports were exaggerated.

“The picture used for a story depicting dirty children wearing torn clothes is an exaggeration and untrue.

“That picture is a gross misrepresentation of the condition of children in the centre, even the background looks foreign. It is also untrue that children there eat Marie biscuits for lunch.

“The children get four meals a day as per the government’s child and youth care centre standardised menu. All school-going children have uniforms and R300 000 worth of clothing did not go missing as alleged by Sunday Independent,” said Mayathula-Khoza.

Uther problems were dilapidated infrastructure and compliance certification. A team of experts had been appointed to assist the institution to get full compliance and registration. – ANA

The picture used for a story depicting dirty children wearing torn clothes is an exaggeration. Nandi Mayathula-Khoza Gauteng MEC for social development