EFF STATEMENT ON MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI'S FAILURE TO USE 92% OF COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS
Friday, 15 January 2021
The EFF is appalled by the Department of Small Business led by Minister Ntshavheni, and its failure to allocate 92% of the funds that were designated as COVID-19 relief funds to aid small-businesses.
As the EFF, we view this as a serious transgression and a deliberate act that undermines the people of this country, whose livelihoods are being ravaged by the deadly Coronavirus. This is a criminal offence and consequently, the Minister must be hauled in front of the portfolio committee in parliament in order to explain her criminal conduct in view of the following;
The plight of the small businesses is so dire and consequently no effort must be spared in ensuring that they receive the necessary support from the department through funding.
For a department with a budget at its disposal to only disburse 8% of relief funds in such desperate circumstances, reveals incompetence and irresponsibility from this government.