Solidarity Helping Hand warns against legal action if government centralises food distribution
On May 3, Helping Hand warned that legal action could follow should food distribution be centralised by the government
The NPO Solidarity Helping Hand has consulted its legal team regarding further requirements, in addition to the existing Covid-19 regulations from state institutions, concerning food distribution.
Helping Hand spokesperson Phillip Bruwer said the organisation is concerned further requirements are indicative of efforts to centralise and control food distribution, instead of allowing authorised bodies in terms of the existing regulations to provide food aid to the needy quickly and effectively.
Hannes Noëth, CEO of Solidarity Helping Hand, said according to the latest regulations, distress relief activities are allowed and there is nothing that prevents Helping Hand from distributing food, since this organisation has all the required permits in place.
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“If anyone should prevent Helping Hand from performing distress relief activities, such a person would be contravening the law,” said Noëth. “Solidarity Helping Hand reaffirms and emphasises that organisations should be allowed to perform distress relief activities without being hindered.”
Any other organisation that is performing relief activities and has the required permits may contact Helping Hand’s legal team if they are prevented from doing their work. Send an email to diens@helpendehand.co.za.
On May 3, Helping Hand warned that legal action could follow should food distribution be centralised by the government and immediately instructed its legal team to start preparing for court action for in case the government should proceed with steps in this regard.
The NPO wants clarity on these proposed regulations from the various authorities involved.
The organisation said this refers to, inter alia, a media release reportedly by Panyaza Lesufi, acting MEC for the Department of Social Development in Gauteng, a letter from Emalahleni (Witbank) local municipality and the letter in the Free State requiring registration to distribute food among people in need.
Helping Hand’s legal team has written to the departments involved and is awaiting feedback.
Noëth said Helping Hand has already received support from various quarters, including cultural organisations, business chambers, businesses, churches and deaconries, donors and other organisations for in case Helping Hand should get involved in legal action with the government.
The Solidarity trade union and the civil rights organisation AfriForum have indicated that they would support legal action and have already pledged R100 000 for possible court action in this regard.
The business group Sakeliga has awarded a further R200 000 donation to Helping Hand.
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These funds are earmarked for distress relief and, if necessary, legal action to prevent the state’s capturing or nationalisation of goodwill.
“Solidarity supports Solidarity Helping Hand’s campaign against centralisation of food distribution, because we are on the side of those who are hungry in this crisis,” said Dirk Hermann, CEO of Solidarity.
Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, also said this civil rights organisation fully supports Helping Hand’s campaign.
“It is imperative to fight against the efforts of politicians wishing to take control even during a deadly crisis to sacrifice the effective distribution of food in order to satisfy their own craving for power and regulation,” Kriel said.
According to Noëth, Helping Hand appreciates that there should be regulations and safety measures as far as food distribution is concerned, but that dictating to non-governmental organisations on how and where food should be distributed would be tantamount to abuse of power.
