At a Health Portfolio Committee meeting of the Gauteng Legislature held recently with NGOs housing mentally ill users there were concerns raised by the NGOs with regard to their delayed issuing of renewed licences by the Gauteng Department of Health. This delays, according to the NGOs, meant that they cannot receive their subsidies from the Department as well.
The committee strongly condemned the delay in issuing renewed licences as this is impacting negatively on mentally ill users. These NGOs, 146 in total, do not receive users’ subsidies and they cannot henceforth receive donations from various private partners as they are deemed to be operating illegal. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Hon. Nompi Nhlapo, raised this concern again during an interview on POWER FM last week.
The Portfolio Committee welcome the positive response by the department in resolving this matter as raised sharply by the Portfolio Committee. During his budget speech, the Premier of Gauteng, Hon. David Makhura reported in the Gauteng Legislature today that the department is in the process of issuing renewed licences which will be completed by the end of this week.
Premier Makhura further announced that the NGOs will also receive payments by the end of this week. NGOs must expect both renewed licences and payments by the end of this week.
Issued by the Chairperson of Health portfolio committee, Honourable Nompi Nhlapo Gauteng Provincial Legislature
For more information and interview requests, please contact Mr Abe Mokoka 011 498 5412 or 079 882 5425; e-mail: amokoka@gpl.gov.za
