Social Development directed to restore funding for child protection services

IN AN effort to avert what could have potentially led to a ‘calamitous situation, the North West High Court has thwarted that provinces Department of Social Development’s plans to stop funding nine nonprofit organisations who provide child protection services.

- ZELDA VENTER

The Rata Social Services NPC, consisting of nine organisations, turned to the court for an urgent order to have their funding restored. They made it clear that at the end of the day, it is the children who are suffering due to the government's actions.

The organisations told the North West High Court, sitting in Mafikeng, that the department decided to no longer fund them for the 2025/26 financial year. Meanwhile, they are battling to assist the needy without any funds.

Prior to refusing them funding, the organisations were receiving subsidies from the department. To that end, the applicants and the department would conclude service level agreements (SLAs) to regulate their relationship. A panel from the department would then review the applications and make a decision. SLAs would then be concluded with the successful NPOs.