Social Development Dept officials in George receive tongue lashings from MPs

Officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD) in George received a tongue lashing from members of Parliament (MPs) this past week.

Members of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure travelled to the southern Cape town to conduct a public hearing with victims and families of victims of the George building collapse.

Many who turned up said the DSD failed to give them the support they needed.

It’s been 18 months since the tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 34 workers.

Survivors and families of the victims of the George building collapse gathered at the Thembalethu Zone 9 Community Hall on Thursday.

Many who opted to speak told the members of Parliament (MPs) that there’s been a lack of assistance from government departments after the tragedy in May 2024, especially from the DSD.

Sibusiso Ngcobese, like many others, spoke on behalf some of the bereaved families.

“The day that building collapsed, yes Social Development was there, helping people, but after, Social Development was not there. They were there with only phone calls to hear how people [are] coping.”

Once people shared their experiences with this department, MPs pressed DSD officials for answers, but the committee was not impressed.

Eventually, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Molebogeng Letlape resorted to apologising to the families and survivors gathered.

“I want to, on behalf of the chair, to apologise, to the families of the victims, to the survivors, for the treatment you got from Social Development, you did not deserve it,”

DSD officials told the committee they have done all they're mandated to do.

The parliamentary committee instructed the DSD officials to provide them with a comprehensive report, detailing how many people they assisted, how they were helped and for how long.