PICS | Protest over food parcels erupts in Johannesburg
He said when they arrived at the church they were told that people had previously registered. He said they were not aware that someone was going around registering people.
“What criteria was really used? If you can see for yourself here, some people, if you can go to their homes, they have workers, police and nurses but others don’t,” Simelane said.
“There is a 93-year-old woman who doesn’t have anyone to support her, what about her? She cannot walk and come to this church.”
He said it would have been better if the church went door to door to register people for food parcels, especially vulnerable homes.
Mamelodi residents outside Mamelodi Baptist Church. (Sesona Ngqakamba, News24)
Simelane said residents were also willing to assist in identifying who were most needy.
Collen Mashawana, chairperson and founder of the Mashawana Foundation, said while they would like to assist everyone in the area, they could not. He said they were, however, working with government to meet the needs of everyone.
“We are also encouraging other citizens and other community members to assist one another. As the Collen Mashawana Foundation, we will do this much,” he said.
