Johannesburg – Previously terminated Community Work Programme (CWP) participants have been asked to resume their duties today, Thursday, (6 February 2025).
Late last year the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) terminated CWP contracts of people aged 55 years and older.
At the time, the department said the contracts had been cancelled due to budget cuts and other related issues.
However, on Wednesday, (5 February 2025), CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa announced that “all CWP participants are to return to work on Thursday, (6 February 2025)”.
The department said the minister’s announcement “follows the retraction of Circular 13 of 2024 issued on 24 December 2024, which is now replaced by a new one (Circular – 01 of 2025)”.
The updated circular informs stakeholders, including all CWP participants, that while the department was exploring alternative means to continue the programme participants affected by the previous circular, of December 2024, could now return to work.
The CWP was established to provide an employment safety net to eligible members of target communities by offering them a minimum number of regular days of work each month.
The programme targets unemployed and underemployed people.
The circular that was issued on 24 December 2024 cited substantial budget reductions amounting to R1.3 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period.
The department said it remains committed to ensuring prudent financial management in full compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and National Treasury regulations.
To mitigate the effects of these budget cuts, the department said it will actively engage relevant stakeholders to explore amicable and alternative solutions.
Minister Hlabisa said decisive action must be taken to protect the integrity of the programme and ensure that participants receive the support they deserve.
“Our aim is to address this issue thoughtfully, ensuring a careful balance between financial responsibility and social accountability”, said Minister Hlabisa.
