20 Feb 2013

Government took a decision that the food coupon system must give preference to small citizen-owned businesses to stimulate rural economies and create a merchant base that would provide good service to beneficiaries.  

Responding to a question in Parliament, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said she was not aware that there were complaints by certain businesses that the coupon system was benefiting certain businesses over others.

She said there was an eligibility criteria for phase one and phase two that was used for supply of the coupon gadgets. In phase one, she said, service providers who complied with the criteria were issued with the coupon gadgets free of charge.

In phase two, which was based on demand by service providers, the assistant minister said the coupon gadgets were procured by the individual service providers who were assessed and complied with the criteria.

“The food coupon system is no longer being rolled out on a trial basis, but implemented as a permanent programme”, she said.

 She stated that the coupon system remained equitable for the benefit of all businesses, whether such business was in a locality with access to electricity or in a locality with no access to electricity; it was still eligible to enrol with council to become a service provider.

Ms Tshireletso explained that there were two types of coupons, the first one being the electronic coupon which used smart card and a point of sale device, which was used in places with electricity.

In areas where there was no electricity, Ms Tshireletso said businesses could still register to become service providers using the paper coupon.

She highlighted that the current ration of coupon machines per beneficiary was 1:50.

Ms Tshireletso was responding to Shoshong MP, Mr Phillip Makgalemele who had asked the minister if she was aware that the coupon system benefited certain businesses at the expense of others thereby raising complaints by certain businesses.

He had also asked whether the coupon system for people benefiting from government food schemes was still being rolled out on a trial basis and how she ensured that the system remained equitable for the benefit of all businesses.

The minister was also asked to state the envisaged ration of coupon machines per beneficiary in each village. ENDS