Bhisho promises to probe claims, management denies allegations.
COOKING rotten food and forcing orphans to eat it has become the distressing norm for staff at an Eastern Cape orphanage.
Workers said: “We don’t have any choice”.
Today the Daily Dispatch can exclusively reveal that children as young as two have been served decaying meat by staff at the King William’s Town-based Ikhwezi Lomso Child and Youth care centre.
They also say the centre’s 15 children, who are between the ages of one and seven, are deprived of adequate clothing as they last received new clothes last year.
These allegations, which surfaced late last week, prompted the department of social development to conduct an immediate investigation while the owners of the centre promised to do the same.
Department spokesman, Gcobani Maswana said they had not been aware of the rotten food allegations and the shortage of clothing for the children but said the department had concerns of non-compliance within the centre.
“The centre was last visited on October 29, and the issue of noncompliance was raised. Failure to comply will lead to the suspension of their certificate and removal of the children ,” said Maswana.
Ivan Senar, the centre’s benefactor, said: “We have faith in the management of the place, as we know they love kids. But we will investigate these allegations.”
Senar said they get R22 000 a month from the department to run the centre and he adds a further R10 000 from his own pocket. “We also rely on fundraising,” he said.
Centre manager Catherine Ganas confirmed rotten food had been served to the children in the past but denied it was happening now.
She said the allegations were a conspiracy against her. “Yes, we know the children were cooked rotten food and my staff members have confirmed this, but it was not done by me, I am new in this place,” she said.
But former worker, Nobuhle Gqwetha, who left when Ganas took over the centre in January, said the new management was to blame.
“Catherine is depriving those kids of food and clothing. She’s caught, now she’s pointing fingers. Those caregivers are bold enough to expose this, they do this for the love of those kids. Social development must not leave any stone unturned here,” said Gqwetha.
Between August and early this month, there have allegedly been three incidents of rotten meat being cooked for the children. When staff members reported it, they allege they were threatened with being fired.
In the alleged incidents, the children were given rotten viennas and later beef that was off, and early this month, sausage which had passed its sell-by date.
Speaking to the Dispatch on condition of anonymity, a staffer said it was common practice to give kids such food.
“We are forced to cook rotten food for the kids, Cathy knows about this. We’ve told them this is happening because the food is locked away as if we are going to steal,” said the staff member. —
Care centre accused of feeding kids rotten food
COOKING rotten food and forcing orphans to eat it has become the distressing norm for staff at an Eastern Cape orphanage.
Workers said: “We don’t have any choice”.
Today the Daily Dispatch can exclusively reveal that children as young as two have been served decaying meat by staff at the King William’s Town-based Ikhwezi Lomso Child and Youth care centre.
They also say the centre’s 15 children, who are between the ages of one and seven, are deprived of adequate clothing as they last received new clothes last year.
These allegations, which surfaced late last week, prompted the department of social development to conduct an immediate investigation while the owners of the centre promised to do the same.
Department spokesman, Gcobani Maswana said they had not been aware of the rotten food allegations and the shortage of clothing for the children but said the department had concerns of non-compliance within the centre.
“The centre was last visited on October 29, and the issue of noncompliance was raised. Failure to comply will lead to the suspension of their certificate and removal of the children ,” said Maswana.
Ivan Senar, the centre’s benefactor, said: “We have faith in the management of the place, as we know they love kids. But we will investigate these allegations.”
Senar said they get R22 000 a month from the department to run the centre and he adds a further R10 000 from his own pocket. “We also rely on fundraising,” he said.
Centre manager Catherine Ganas confirmed rotten food had been served to the children in the past but denied it was happening now.
She said the allegations were a conspiracy against her. “Yes, we know the children were cooked rotten food and my staff members have confirmed this, but it was not done by me, I am new in this place,” she said.
But former worker, Nobuhle Gqwetha, who left when Ganas took over the centre in January, said the new management was to blame.
“Catherine is depriving those kids of food and clothing. She’s caught, now she’s pointing fingers. Those caregivers are bold enough to expose this, they do this for the love of those kids. Social development must not leave any stone unturned here,” said Gqwetha.
Between August and early this month, there have allegedly been three incidents of rotten meat being cooked for the children. When staff members reported it, they allege they were threatened with being fired.
In the alleged incidents, the children were given rotten viennas and later beef that was off, and early this month, sausage which had passed its sell-by date.
Speaking to the Dispatch on condition of anonymity, a staffer said it was common practice to give kids such food.
“We are forced to cook rotten food for the kids, Cathy knows about this. We’ve told them this is happening because the food is locked away as if we are going to steal,” said the staff member. —
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos