PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CALLS FOR URGENT INTERVENTION ON STAFF SHORTAGES AND INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES AT DITSOBOTLA SERVICE POINT

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, led by Chairperson Hon. Karabo Tebogo Magagane, accompanied by Hon. Jeanette Komane and Hon. Lerato Tsholo, yesterday conducted an oversight visit to the Department of Social Development’s Ditsobotla Service Point in Lichtenburg as part of its Oversight Week Programme.

The Committee assessed progress in addressing previously identified challenges, including staff shortages, inadequate office accommodation, child protection services and the availability of temporary safe care for vulnerable children. During the engagement, departmental officials reported progress in filling certain vacancies, restoring funding to some social service organisations and strengthening child protection services. The Department also outlined plans to establish dedicated Child Protection Units as part of its organisational restructuring. However, the Committee expressed concern over persistent vacancies in critical positions, including registry, driver and messenger posts, and inadequate office space affecting service delivery and client confidentiality.

Members further raised concerns about the shortage of temporary safe care parents, which continues to affect the placement of vulnerable children requiring immediate protection. The Department indicated that recruitment efforts were ongoing, although identifying suitable caregivers remained challenging. The Committee also questioned the allocation of social workers across wards, particularly in remote communities where limited office accommodation and transport difficulties affect access to services. While acknowledging progress, the Committee expressed dissatisfaction that several outstanding matters lacked clear implementation timelines. Members emphasised the need for improved coordination between the Department, relevant government institutions and community stakeholders to address these challenges.

The Committee further called for urgent engagement with the Department of Public Works and Roads regarding office accommodation and requested supporting documentation on efforts to fill critical vacancies. It also requested detailed information on social workers’ caseloads, temporary safe care arrangements and outstanding interventions to enable effective follow-up oversight. The Committee emphasised that addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring accessible, confidential and effective social development services, particularly for vulnerable children, families and communities.

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