Agnes Masilo News Today

The villagers believe their loved ones will no longer rest in peace.

(See How others allocate their GiA funds.) A municipal councillor who spoke to amaBhungane on condition of anonymity raised concerns that non-profits were obliged to compete with profit-making companies. "It doesnt make sense how a commercial event with corporate, media, and alcohol sponsors is evaluated and funded through the Grant-in-Aid programme. Priority should be given to projects that will have a sustainable impact and are community development centric." The councillor conceded that comm...

Under Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina, allocations to fund community and poverty alleviation projects ballooned from R20-million to R100-million in 2017 – but the process of selecting and monitoring beneficiaries was opaque, posing the risk that a laudable programme was diverted to buy favour and influence. Municipalities are empowered to make charitable grants – “grants-in-aid” (GiA) – in terms of section 67 of the Municipal Finance Management Act. But critics, including some membe...