KZN child protection NGOs claim to not receive subsidy increases

The Pietermaritzburg Child Welfare says it's been told by Social Development to not expect increases over the next three years due to budget cuts. 

The organisation's Julie Todd says they can't pay bills and have had to put many projects on hold. 

Todd says social workers have also been giving their all during the lockdown - despite the challenges and sometimes dangers they face.

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She says they are emotionally drained and underpaid.

"They battling to cope with their own family units and pay the bills so not only is it a stress for the organisation in terms of how we are going to pay the bills, but our staff as well are struggling. 

"Social workers have a four-year degree, the entry-level that is being paid is under R13 000 which from what we understand street cleaners get more than than. 

"It is ridiculous that this is the amount that degree-ed people are getting for professional service and they are really struggling. The morale is really at a low."

KZN Social Development's Mhlabunzima Memela says NGOs get assistance based on what they submit to the department. 

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"I believe that they should meet withe the social workers who are responsible working together with them and be able to do a proper presentation to them, then negotiate towards that direction. 

"I am not really sure what could be the problem for those subsidies not to be processed, so the best thing to do is to meet with the department and negotiate based on the job that they do."