The Department of Social Development has announced plans to shut down several Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) across South Africa for failing to meet regulatory requirements. These NPOs provide essential services such as children’s welfare, youth support, assistance for people with disabilities, care for the elderly, and humanitarian relief. A total of 203,279 organisations, including trusts and voluntary associations, are at risk of deregistration due to non-compliance with annual report submissions.
The department has issued 41,787 notices of non-compliance to NPOs, warning them of severe consequences if they fail to update their records. These consequences include the potential loss of tax exemptions, government support, and funding from donors and other accountable institutions. Social Development spokesperson Bathembu Futshane highlighted that most non-compliant organisations are based in Gauteng, with significant numbers also found in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and other provinces.
Futshane assured that the department remains committed to working closely with compliant NPOs to ensure their activities align with South Africa’s regulatory framework. The department has already processed over 18,000 requests via email, 3,000 telephone inquiries, and assisted 4,000 clients through walk-in services. Additionally, 3,450 NPOs have successfully updated their information on the NPO register.
The Department emphasized that compliance is vital not only for maintaining transparency and accountability within the NPO sector but also for safeguarding the communities that rely on these organisations for support. By enforcing these regulations, the department aims to ensure that NPOs continue to operate in a manner that benefits those they serve.
