DSD fails to fill critical posts

by Justus De Goede MPL – DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Social Development

The Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) consistently fails to fill critical posts within the department.

According to the department’s fourth quarterly report for the 2017/18 financial year, the department has a 100 percent vacancy rate of occupational therapists, 82 percent vacancy rate of psychologists and 11 percent vacancy rate for social work and related professions.

This indicates that 14 occupational therapist posts and 11 posts for psychologists were not filled during this quarter.

Failure by the department to fill these very critical and specialised posts has a severe impact on the lives of our poor people who cannot afford private services, particularly in informal settlements.

This department’s incompetence is affecting the most vulnerable residents of Gauteng and this is difficult to understand, as there is a budget allocation for these posts to be filled.

In addition, the department has recruited 2025 social workers against its target of 2172, which means that there is a shortfall of 147 social workers.

Despite the fact that our province is facing a crisis, owing to a shortage of social workers, the ANC-led Gauteng administration displays little concern for the welfare of our people.

Social workers, occupational therapists and psychologists play a critical role in counselling, promoting positive behaviour and in helping residents to improve their ability to perform tasks.

The DA calls on Gauteng Department of Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza to urgently fill all vacant critical posts in the department to ensure that the public receives all the professional services it needs.

Come 2019, when DA runs Gauteng, we will ensure that all critical posts are filled. In so doing we will be creating job opportunities and servicing the poor and disadvantaged.