LifeLine and Rape Crisis GBV centres warn of stay-aways amid cash crunch

Director Sinikiwe Biyela says the payment issues with the KZN Social Development Department date back to April.

Biyela says over 60 social workers and six house mothers from 34 sites in the province including at shelters for abused women stopped working after not being paid for months.

Some in Umzinyathi returned to work today after payment was made yesterday.

Biyela says 44 social workers and four house mothers in KZN are still staying away.

"Umgungundlovu, we have given them a deadline until today." 

“Definitely we had conversations. Every time they give you a day, but because we have money that are outstanding to three months, to some even more than that in some districts, eventually as an NPO we couldn’t continue cash flowing.

"The agreement was they will pay on the 30th of November. It didn't happen and then on the 5th of December social workers were told to stay at home because they didn't have money to pay workers, to pay their salaries in December should they continue working." 

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KZN Social Development's Mhlabunzima Memela says all NPOs working with the government that have not been paid will receive payment on Friday.

"My understanding is there's never been any kind of animosity between the department and these two organisations."

"I know that there has been a challenge in the past with regards to the stipend of different organisations.

"Since the department also started the new system, there has been challenge some organisations, rather than talking to the department they would just go around and say they are not being paid but without making attempt to engage with the department."