The Millennium Bug is still very much alive and well

Abstract

The Millenuim Bug is alive and well in South Africa. But this is not the new bug generally predicted at the end of the previous century, but one that has been with us for many years - perhaps even for a full century - namely the bug in South African welfare institutions and especially in government institutions.

It is disturbing to read once again in the newspapers and the general media about problems in the Soutll African welfare system. In any other state department over-expenditure of money is an offence tllat is regarded by Parliament and the Auditor-General - not to mention other institutions - in a very serious light. But that something like under-expenditure can occur in a Department of Welfare is beyond comprehension. Such a situation verges on the criminal, because it is precisely tllrough this department that services must be provided to the poorest ofmthe poor and to those burdened with many other problems and daily distress.