03 Mar 2013

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is aware that Ipelegeng workers do not work in December and January in Francistown and all other areas countrywide.

Responding to a parliamentary question from Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, the assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso explained that this arrangement was made to allow the beneficiaries to take advantage of ISPAAD programme and engage in ploughing activities.

She said the local authorities were allowed to assess the rainfall situation and other related factors in their districts before undertaking this exercise and the programme implementation was brought back to normal operation during the month of January.

The assistant minister said the 2012/13 employment target for Francistown South constituency was 757 adding that for the current financial year, the scaling down was done in the Francistown South constituency from December 28, 2012 to January 21 this year after consultation with Umbrella Ward Development Committee on December 9. In this regard, she explained, in December 2012, 757 people were employed while in January 2013, some 70 people were employed.

MP Mmolotsi had asked the minister if she was aware that Ipelegeng employees did not work in December and January in Francistown, and if so, why were they being treated like those in rural areas who had fields to plough. ENDS