Note to Broadcasters: Please find the attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Hendriëtte van Huyssteen.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West Province welcomes the judgment delivered by the Mahikeng High Court on 11 February 2026, which marks a decisive victory for non-profit organisations (NPOs) providing essential social services on behalf of the Department of Social Development (DSD).
For years, NPOs in the province have faced unjust funding cuts and outright refusals without due administrative process, undermining their ability to deliver vital constitutional services to vulnerable children and communities. NPOs generally accepted these unjust processes, fearing retaliation from the Department for Social Development should they resist. The judgment addresses these longstanding challenges and holds the Department accountable for lawful and fair funding practices.
The DA has persistently urged the MEC for Social Development, Hon. Dantjie, to adhere to the Sector Funding Policy for Social Development. Regrettably, the Department consistently faced resistance and ambiguous accusations of non-compliance towards NPOs, which served as a justification for arbitrary funding reductions.
This judgment sets a clear precedent in the North West Province: the Department can no longer hide behind dismissive and unsubstantiated responses when NPOs seek clarity on funding matters. It reinforces the constitutional mandates that protect the most vulnerable and demands that the Department act transparently and responsibly. The Department has been ordered to conclude valid Service Level Agreements with all applicants in this matter within 10 days, as the refusal of funding by the Department was unjust.
The DA encourages all NPOs subjected to similar unjust administrative practices by the Department of Social Development to pursue their rights in line with this ruling. This judgment reaffirms the Rule of Law and demonstrates the strength of our judicial system.
The Democratic Alliance remains committed to standing alongside NPOs that care for the vulnerable in our communities and will continue to hold state organs accountable whenever they undermine these organisations’ essential work.