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[FILE] KZN Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza is urging councillors to be transparent in working with the communities they serve.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has condemned the theft, looting, and illegal sale of food parcels intended for vulnerable communities in Magaliesburg, describing the incident as a direct attack on the integrity of government social relief programmes.
The department says the diversion of aid meant for poor households undermines efforts to address hunger and restore dignity.
Spokesperson Dloze Matooane says the department has a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and warned that officials, service providers, and traders found to be involved will face prosecution.
Matooane says compliance inspections will be intensified across retail outlets.
“The department and its partners will intensify continuous compliance inspections in spaza shops and other wholesale areas, whether owned by foreign nationals or not, to monitor operations in shops, tuck shop wholesalers, and food outlets to ensure that no stolen food parcels or government-issued relief items are being traded illegally.”
Matooane adds that security measures at facilities and storage sites are being strengthened, and that digitalisation of food distribution systems is being accelerated.
“The MEC further confirmed that the department is strengthening security measures at all its facilities and storage sites where food parcels and humanitarian assistance are stored and distributed. In addition, the health and department of social development is accelerating efforts towards the digitalisation of food distribution systems.”
Dialogue on the Right to Access Sufficient Food. pic.twitter.com/6Zm36eZ9fs
— Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko (@NkomoNomantu) May 28, 2026
[MEDIA STATEMENT]
MEC NKOMO-RALEHOKO CONDEMNS THEFT AND ILLEGAL SALE OF FOOD PARCELS MEANT FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES pic.twitter.com/6sQhjao098
— Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko (@NkomoNomantu) May 27, 2026
