DURBAN - The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KZN is concerned about the violence faced by social workers and called on KZN Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza to address the issues they face as the world marks International Social Workers’ Day.
The IFP in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature joined the world in observing International Social Workers’ Day, under the theme: “Co-Building a New Eco-Social World: Leaving No One Behind”, today.
Member of Parliament and IFP KZN provincial spokesperson for Social Development, Les Govender, said the IFP believes that International Social Workers’ Day must not become yet another talk shop.
“We need to take this opportunity to unpack and address all the challenges facing social workers while they execute their duties. Their safety, well-being and working conditions must be prioritised,” he said.
He said while the IFP recognises the role played by social workers, the party is concerned about the violence faced by social workers.
“This has become an inherent risk of the profession and undeniably, one that needs to be addressed on a national scale. Social workers are frequently sent, alone and unarmed, to dangerous situations, in areas that police do not enter without a partner, or a gun.
“Social workers stage life-changing interventions daily, but what measures are being taken to ensure their safety?” asked Govender.
In addition, Govender said the IFP is concerned about the hijacking of state vehicles used by social workers.
“We have stated in the past that more than 50 state-owned vehicles from the KZN Department of Social Development were hijacked between 2017 and 2020. However, we have not heard a word as to whether all these vehicles have been recovered.
“We urge the department to ensure that all state vehicles are fitted with tracking devices, and are clearly branded, as these measures will hopefully serve as deterrents to would-be hijackers,” he said.
Another issue of concern, added Govender, is the shortage of social workers that needs the urgent attention of the department.
“An ongoing shortage of finances cannot be an excuse for depriving our people of social work services, whilst social ills are growing. There are many unemployed social work graduates in the province. They received bursaries from the department with the promise of employment once they qualify, yet they have been sitting at home without jobs for years. This can be seen as wasteful expenditure, as the department used public funds to get these students qualified but they are not serving our citizens.”
Govender said the IFP calls on KZN Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza to address issues faced by social workers.
“The IFP calls upon the KZN MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza, to present a detailed plan on how she intends addressing the hijackings of state-owned vehicles used by social workers, the murder of and violence toward social workers, as well as the issue of unemployed social work graduates,”he said.
People become social workers because they have a strong desire to help others and make our society a better place for all, he said.
The IFP also expressed its gratitude to the committed social workers who continue to work with dedication on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are aware that some have made the ultimate sacrifice and others have lost loved ones, but still they remain at their workplaces, serving communities across our province. The IFP is grateful and appreciates their dedication,” said Govender.
Speaking to The Mercury today, KwaZulu-Natal Social Development spokesperson Mhlaba Memela said it is quite sad that social workers are being sent to help and they are hijacked, blindfolded and left in a state of panic.
“That is why MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza has called upon communities to take responsibility to protect social workers,” he said.
Memela said the department recovered most of the vehicles that were hijacked with the assistance of police.
However, he said it is difficult to provide the exact number of recovered vehicles.
"Unfortunately, most of the vehicles that we received are in a bad condition. Parts have been stripped and we are forced to scrap the vehicles,” said Memela.
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