normal;background:white">Johannesburg - The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Gauteng said on Monday that it was concerned about the alleged looting of food parcels meant for vulnerable
communities.
normal;background:white">This comes after weekend newspapers reported that food parcel distribution in some parts of the province was fraught with corruption.
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">“We are worried that
the correct and progressive efforts by our government to ensure that the poor
and vulnerable working class communities are cushioned during the lockdown,
through inter alia food parcels, are now hijacked by opportunists who are
diverting them for narrow selfish interests,” said SACP Gauteng second deputy secretary
Sekete Moshoeshoe in a statement.
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">“It is alleged that in
our province of Gauteng, particularly in Tshwane, where this fraudulent activity
is apparently rife, many working-class families have been left in a precarious
position far worse than before the lockdown was put into place.”
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">The provincial SACP called
on the Gauteng provincial government to urgently take steps to ensure that the
food parcels reach their intended recipients.
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">“Furthermore, we
appeal that criminal charges must be laid against the culprits, where there is
clear evidence of violation of the processes to distribute food to vulnerable
families,” he said.
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">“Working with our districts
across the province, we are closely monitoring this situation including the
food distribution process to ensure the government’s correct decision to place
premium on food security to ensure sustainable livelihoods, households and
communities for the most vulnerable sections of our population during this
difficult period in our history is upheld.”
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Commenting on the
evictions and demolitions of houses in Lawley, south of Johannesburg, the SACP
expressed concern about the City of Joburg taking the drastic action
during the current extended lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">“Equally, we are
perturbed by the evictions and house demolitions by the City of Johannesburg in
Lawley, south of Johannesburg. We are reliably informed that almost 100 poor
working-class families have been displaced and left destitute by this action of
the city,” said Moshoeshoe.
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">“Of particular concern
to us is that these demolitions are taking place during the Covid-19 lockdown
and most probably in violation of the regulation that clearly stipulates that
no one should be evicted during the lockdown period. We call on the provincial
government to urgently attend to this impending crisis before it gets of out of
hand.”
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#222222">The provincial SACP
further called on law enforcement agencies to look into the matter and ensure
that those responsible are held criminally liable for violating Covid-19
regulations during the lockdown.