By Gcina Ntsaluba
The Rape Survivors Support Group Safe House Programme is under scrutiny following revelations of significant financial irregularities, with conflicting reports identifying between R39,920 and R63,000 in questionable expenditure from government funds meant to support gender-based violence victims.
A report released to Grocott’s Mail details unexplained spending of R39,920 for the 2024/2025 financial year at establishments including KFC, Hungry Lion, liquor shops, kwaNobalasele shebeen, Engen garage, and various retail outlets, with “no compliance documents submitted as required by both Public Financial Management Act and the NPO Act”.
However, a separate analysis by a source with knowledge of the organisation’s operations revealed an even larger discrepancy: approximately R63,000 — nearly half of the R134,000 Department of Social Development (DSD) grant — was withdrawn as cash without receipts or proper documentation to account for the expenditure.
Department identifies non-compliance
DSD spokesperson Mpumzi Zuzile confirmed that the previous management board was spending funds without following correct procedures, including failure to submit requisitions before making purchases.
Zuzile explained that the management board was asked to “submit invoices and receipts to finance office at the NPO Unit” so as to analyse the spending and refer any discrepancies to risk management. However, Zuzile noted that “the actual amount is not known as the office is still awaiting this information”.
New board elected to address non-compliance
Zuzile said: “In order to address non-compliance of the previous board a new board was elected with the assistance of stakeholders.” And added that the newly-elected board does comply and submit requisitions before spending.
The change in leadership appears to have brought improved financial management. Zuzile confirmed that “currently the spending for the organization is at 48%, as it focuses on prevention programmes and paying stipends for care givers.”
Key concerns in the original report
The initial report outlined several serious concerns about the organisation’s operations under the previous board:
- No transparency in financial reporting, with annual reports and audited financial statements not being presented
- No accounting documents provided since April 2025
- The organisation lacked a physical office, making monitoring difficult
- Non-cooperation from management, particularly from then-chairperson Luyanda Sakata
- Failure to attend scheduled compliance meetings
- Attempts to sell furniture belonging to the safe house
Cash withdrawals raise red flags
The source who analysed the organisation’s bank statements said the cash withdrawals were particularly concerning from an audit perspective. “That’s a lot of cash withdrawals,” the other source noted. “We don’t know what the money was used for and there have been no receipts.”
Beyond the cash withdrawals, bank statements revealed transactions at a liquor store, fast-food outlets, and notably, at kwaNobalasele Shebeen. When questioned, the chairperson reportedly claimed they were purchasing meat at the shebeen, though the source expressed skepticism about this explanation.
“The organisation would never get clean audits with this kind of stuff,” this person warned. “It would be the worst audit. Half of the money has been taken out in cash. There’s no receipts. There’s nothing. The auditor will immediately flag this.”
Chairperson denies wrongdoing
The chairperson Luyanda Sakata strongly denied allegations of financial mismanagement, claiming the accusations were politically motivated attempts to damage his reputation ahead of upcoming by-elections. Sakata, who also leads the local Anti-Crime initiative, dismissed the allegations as “pure politicking,” explaining that the transactions were legitimate expenses related to emergency response work.
“We are called at one o’clock, we are called at two o’clock, and we’re told here’s a victim,” he said. “If the victim says she’s hungry, what do we do? We take her there.”
Sakata insisted that all required reports and financial statements had been submitted to the department. “Everything they asked for, we provided,” he said. “Every month, we give them the bank statement. They know everything that we do.”
Impact on vulnerable communities
The safe house was funded by the provincial department of Social Development to provide temporary safe-guarding for victims of gender-based violence with a 24-hour shelter.
The original report noted the broader impact of the financial irregularities: “It is unfortunate and evident that the people who suffer should this organisation be closed are the marginalised priority groups.”
The DSD has committed to providing capacity-building support to the NPO under its new leadership, including training, resources, and technical assistance to enhance operational capabilities and improve service delivery.
“We believe that by empowering NPOs, we can strengthen the social fabric of our communities and ensure that vulnerable populations receive the support they need,” Zuzile said.
