1 April 2020
MEDIA STATEMENT
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT WARNS THE NPO SECTOR OF COVID-19 SCAM AND FRAUD
Pretoria, 1 April 2020:
As South Africa enters the 6th day of the lockdown to contain the further spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Social Development is warning members of the public, and the Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) sector in particular to remain vigilant of a scam that purports to “accredit and convert NPO certificate to NGO certificate to qualify for an international funding worth millions of rands”.
To date, a number of NPOs registered in terms of the NPO Act (Act No. 71 of 1997) have fallen prey to this elaborate scam which seeks to fraudulently gain access to organisations’ finances.
The scammers prey on the NPOs desperate for funding and charges them R 1 999 for conversion of their certificates to NGO certificates. They have re-created a fake NGO certificate in which they ask registered NPOs to submit ID copies of members, their proof of residence, tax exemption letter, bank account, bank confirmation letter and a photo of the NPO Director.
The scammers claim this information is required to convert the NPO certificate to NGO certificate in order to be eligible for international funding worth millions.
“We wish to caution the NPO sector to be wary of fraudsters who are taking advantage of the current situation in our country and want to profit through sophisticated scams. The scammers masquerade as members of an agency that convert NPO certificates to NGO certificates and facilitates access to international funding for registered organisations’, said Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu.
“The Department of Social Development has not contracted any person or agency to convert NPO certificates for international funding and does not intend to do so now or in the future. In fact, there is no such thing as “NGO certificate” as all organisations are registered as NPO in terms of the NPO Act. The Department provides information and registers NPOs free of charge”, added Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu.
Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu reminds the NPO sector that the Department does not make any unsolicited calls, emails, social media posts or texts asking for them to submit information for funding purposes.
NPOs that have fallen prey to the scam are advised to contact their banks immediately to freeze their accounts before the scammers can access their funds and to report such cases at the South African Police Service.
The Department is warning the NPO sector in particular to exercise due diligence and appropriate caution when dealing with any person or institution with whom they have never worked and/or they have never heard of to avoid falling prey to scams and fraudsters.
In light of the state of the national disaster and the lockdown regulations proclaimed by President Ramaphosa, the Department has extended the deadline for the submission of NPO annual reports from 31 March- 30 June 2020.
The extension applies to all organisations registered in terms of the NPO Act.
To comply with the lockdown regulations, the Department has suspended all person-person NPO services, including the NPO Help Desk. NPOs that wish to submit their reports or enquire about NPO-related matters can use the online platforms at npoinquiry@dsd.gov.za online www.npo.gov.za or WhatsApp: 066 480 6830/ 0730991383 (for Whats App messages only)
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media inquiries may be forwarded to Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845 or e-mail: NomfundoL@dsd.gov.za
www.npo.gov.za
The primary aim of the NPO Act is to create an enabling environment for NPOs, setting and maintaining adequate standards of governance and accountability by providing a voluntary registration facility for non-profit organisations.Day 12 of the national lock down and Khululeka Grief Support staff are doing the necessary work to keep the channel for grief support alive. We are looking at avenues of doing what we do best, to help people overcome the paralysis of grief, inspite of the current situation that we are finding ourselves in.
We are contactable via email, as we are all working from home.
Email address: admin@khululeka.org
To all our beneficiaries, workshop participants, support group participants and the families in our individual counseling circles, partners and service providers: We would like to let you know that our prayers and thoughts are with you all. May you be blessed in the days to come, with the resilience needed to overcome this crisis.
FOLDED MASK (3) INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut 2 pieces of clean, ironed, close weave cotton fabric approx 20 x 25/27 cm. If possible use 2 different patterns or colours - one for the outside and one for the lining. Do not use a stretch fabric.
2. Cut 4 ties (either ribbon, bias binding, tape or fabric) approx 30 -35cm long.
To make fabric ties, cut 4-5cm strips of fabric, fold lengthwise in half. Press with iron. Fold in half again. Press and stitch closed with a straight stitch (narrow tie) OR
Fold edges of fabric to meet at middle centre fold. Stitch folded fabric closed with a zigzag stitch.
OR
Cut 2 pieces of thin elastic (approx 0.7 or hat elastic x 25cm each length) to go around ears OR a longer / wider piece of elastic to go around the back of the head
3. Right side down, fold back the sides(short edge) 1-1.5cm on both pieces of fabric. Iron the side folds into place.
4. Pin and stitch securely the 4 ends of the ties / elastic to the outer piece of fabric only. (Both outer and inner together is very thick) Sew on top of fold and 1- 1.5cm down from top and bottom edge
Right sides together, stitch the top and bottom (long) edges of the fabric together with a 1 - 1.5cm seam. At this stage do not sew the sides closed
5. Turn the mask inside out using the side openings so that right sides are facing outwards and sides folded inwards. Keeping ties / elastic out of the way - make 2 or 3 horizontal folds (approx 1.5cm) - both thicknesses of the fabric - from top to bottom. Iron / pin the folds so they stay in place. Do not sew them horizontally.
Sew the sides together –to keep the folds in place.
Leave a slot open on one side if you wish to insert filter material or tissue for further protection. Do not forget to remove it before washing. Replace it every time the mask is used.
Once completed - EVERY mask must be washed in hot, soapy water and ironed to make sure it is sterile.
All users need to read / understand GUIDELINES FOR USE OF CLOTH MASKS
GUIDELINES FOR MAKING A CLOTH MASK
WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT Health Deparment 2/4/2020
Check the mask before using it
• Put the mask on and breathe in and out as usual. If there is slight difficulty in breathing in (resistance), that means there is certain amount of filtration.
• Make sure the strings are tied properly to ensure a firm fit around the nose and mouth.
• If you find it uncomfortable, remove the inner layers and try again.
• Make sure the mask is CLEAN and DRY when you put it on.
How to use a cloth mask
DO NOT SHARE CLOTH MASKS BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY! MAKE SURE THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO CLOTH MASKS PER PERSON IN THE HOUSEHOLD, INCLUDING CHILDREN.
A cloth mask may be worn when in public areas or gatherings. It should be treated with care when putting on and taking off because the outer surface might be contaminated and this will contaminate your hands and transfer the virus to your mouth, nose or eyes, or to others.
1. Take your time when wearing a mask, don’t hurry!
2. Wash hand thoroughly before putting on your mask
3. Place the mask with the correct side facing your nose and mouth and covering both well
4. Tie the strings behind your head, or if you are using elastic bands, make sure these are tight
5. Make sure it fits well. Move it around to get the best fit
6. Once you have put on the cloth mask and you are comfortable with the fit, DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE again until you take it off
7. When you take it off, undo the ties, and carefully fold the mask inside out OR
8. Hold it by the strings and place the mask in a dedicated, big enough container ready to be washed
9. Wash hands thoroughly and dry before doing anything else
10. Wash your cloth mask daily to reduce the chance of it becoming contaminated with bacteria and viruses.
Maintaining the mask
• Get or make at least two per person so you will be able to wash one and have a clean one ready for use.
• Hand or machine wash the mask daily in soap and hot water (as hot as can be tolerated)
• Rinse thoroughly and dry
• IRON THE MASK- this is the best and cheapest means of disinfection!
• If you do not have an iron, place the mask with the outside facing down on a metal sheet and place it in the sun; leave it there for a couple of hours- the heat should disinfect it.
• DO NOT SOAK THE MASK IN CHEMICALS AS THESE GET ABSORBED AND MAY BE INHALED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Distribution of Masks: Cape Town Together Community Action Network (CAN) has been established to help communities respond to Covid 19. There may already be a CAN operating in your neighbourhood who can assist.
mail.google.com
Gmail is email that's intuitive, efficient, and useful. 15 GB of storage, less spam, and mobile access.hbr-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/hbr.org/amp/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief
That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
hbr-org.cdn.ampproject.org
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a collective loss of normalcy.Happy moments...our very own Support Group learners celebrating their achievements...dealing with their own grief and loss and having the skills to handle the way forward... WELL DONE!!!
Khululeka subscribes to The Independent Code of Governance for NPOs in South Africa.
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