The Gauteng social development department is facing criticism for delayed payments to non-profit organisations, leaving many without salaries or resources. SANCA Thusong, a substance use organisation in east Pretoria, is owed R1.17-million, affecting 50 staff members who have not received their salaries for months. The organisation has been forced to disrupt rehabilitation and social services in communities such as Eersterust, Nellmapius, Refilwe, Zithobeni, and Rethabiseng.
The delayed funding has caused significant distress for social workers, who have exhausted their life savings, received eviction warnings, and incurred heavy bank charges. Many have resorted to high-interest loan sharks to support their families. Despite the challenges, social workers have continued to provide services, but with depleted resources. The organisation, which reached over 160,000 people in 2025/26, is now facing financial, emotional, and psychological strain.
According to SANCA Thusong, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) attributed the delay to an unexplained R1.3-million cut to the organisation's out-patient and aftercare services. However, the organisation successfully challenged these cuts, and corrected service level agreements (SLAs) were signed on 31 July. Despite this, the department has not made the necessary payments, leaving the organisation in a precarious financial situation.
The GDSD has provided conflicting explanations for the delayed payments. Initially, they claimed that SANCA Thusong had not submitted verified service statistics for May, June, or July. However, the organisation disputes this, stating that its staff could not retrieve supporting records due to exhausted resources. The department has since acknowledged the error and promised to resolve the matter, but no further action has been taken.
SANCA Thusong is not the only organisation facing funding delays. GroundUp has reported on issues within the GDSD impacting beneficiaries and organisations due to years of mismanagement and corruption. In May 2026, organisation representatives protested against what they described as years of "funding injustice" by the GDSD. Several other organisations providing critical services to vulnerable communities across the province have been crippled by payment delays.
In an effort to address the instability, MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko promised three-year contracts spanning the 2027/28 to 2029/30 financial years to give organisations greater funding stability. However, the care crisis committee argues that the previous three-year SLA system was cancelled unnecessarily, contributing to the current instability. Every other province in the country funds non-profit organisations on a three-year basis.
The ongoing funding crisis has significant implications for the communities being served. Without stable funding, organisations like SANCA Thusong risk being unable to provide essential services, including rehabilitation and social support. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the GDSD will address the issue and ensure that organisations can continue to provide vital services to those in need.
Key points
- The Gauteng social development department owes R1.17-million to SANCA Thusong, affecting 50 staff members and disrupting rehabilitation services in east Pretoria.
- The delayed funding has caused significant distress for social workers, who have exhausted their life savings and resorted to high-interest loan sharks.
- The crisis has significant implications for the communities being served, with organisations risking being unable to provide essential services without stable funding.
