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DAYCARE: Miemie Mthethwa, working in her garden and inset, denies using children as a front to get funding as a group of parents from Majika township in Mpumalanga claim . PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE

DAYCARE DONATIONS : A group of parents from Majika township near Hazyview in Mpumalanga claims that Miemie Mthethwa used their children as a front to solicit donations. PHOTO : ANTONIO MUCHAVE

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The mothers believe that Miemie Mthethwa of Majika Dropping Centre near Hazyview uses children in the area as a front to get donations. In an article published in a local newspaper on June 22, Mthethwa asked the community to help build a kitchen and donate a fridge to the centre, among other things.

A German couple who have donated food and clothes appear in one of the pictures.

Mthethwa also runs a daycare centre but there were no children there last week because parents do not want to take their children there anymore. The centre is not registered with the department of social development either.

"What she has done is hurtful. Why is she using our children to get money, food and clothes? God knows how long she has been doing this. It has to stop," said Thulisile Ngubane*.

Another parent, Zinhle Msibi*, said Mthethwa could not give them a proper explanation when they confronted her.

"We do not dispute that our children go there to eat but they are not orphans. She is abusing people's generosity. She is stealing from the poor," Msibi said.

However, Mthethwa denied using the children to get funds.

"The children had come to eat as they always do. I do not know when their picture was taken. I usually tell the photographer which children to photograph. I do not know how it happened.

"All I do is help the community. I do not keep anything for myself.

"I will not agree or disagree with them [the parents]," Mthethwa said.

Department spokesman Ronnie Masilela said: "The centre in question is not registered . and therefore does not get any funding from the department.

"To be registered as a non-profit organisation, a centre must have a suitable place that is checked and verified by social workers."

Some residents maintained that Mthethwa used the children from the area as a front while o thers said she did give them clothing.

Resident Nandi Shabangu accused Mthethwa of not helping the community at all.

"We do not know what she does with the money and clothes she receives," Shabangu said.

An old woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her grandchildren, said: "She did give me clothes some time last year. I have not received anything else from her since then".

*The mothers' real names have not been used to protect the identities of their children.

- mashabas@sowetan.co.za

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Mon May 20 13:30:23 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 30, 2012

lindsay

mama Jackie all over again
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Jul 30, 2012

dimpho_4U

"What she has done is hurtful. Why is she using our children to get money, food and clothes?
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maybe she's greedy..who knows or trying to b a good samaritan..


































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Jul 30, 2012

MommaC

So they don't contribute to the food bill, want their kids fed but don't want them photographed?
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Jul 30, 2012

imd

An old woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her grandchildren, said: "She did give me clothes some time last year. I have not received anything else from her since then".

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huh??? so she wants supply monthly?
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Jul 30, 2012

Punkies

Ya neeh, who ever came up with money killed us...Everything is about money money money!
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Jul 30, 2012

19Doubleiets

Yeah, thats absolutely true Punkies, The person or the thing that came up with money really killed us.
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Jul 30, 2012

Mellow

I do not understand this story really? I have so many freaking questions to the parents mostly but anyhu looks like the centre will be closed down
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Jul 30, 2012

fana02

@Sowetan, why dont u give us article on that local newspaper to add up to what u reporting to us now.From the information you wrote here, I do not see anything wrong by the god samaritans of the centre>>>>>>>>> I assumed the children were photographed in a group as orphans and noy singled out!! when she gets assistance, that will benefit even those children whom the parents are compalining that they are not orphans!
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Jul 30, 2012

vuka'slale

I sense that this reporter wanted a story by all cost and jeoulosy from the community, because they admit that their children eat there, where did they think the money came from. this community must wake up and work together with this good samaritan and they will be plenty of food in that Village.
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Jul 30, 2012

Skopokopo

She lied by saying the children are orphans but she does gives food to them, one parent confirmed.
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