22 Feb 2015

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane told Parliament that effective of April 1, the ministry will introduce a disability allowance for People-Living -With -Disabilities.

In his ministries’ budget presentation Mr Tsogwane said, “Provision of this allowance to those eligible will be effected from 1st April 2015.  

My Ministry will continue to offer support to all those who become vulnerable to economic shocks in an effort to promote dignity and self-development,” he said.

Commenting on the budget proposal, Molepolole South MP Dr Tlamelo Mmatli appreciated government’s effort towards recognizing and supporting people with disabilities. 

However he said the allowance should also be extended to their care-takers. He said this money should be sufficient to meet their needs.

Dr Mmatli also said Old Age pensioners allowance should be increased from P300 to P1 000 adding that it was not enough to sustain their livelihoods. 

He said these pensioners are martyrs who have worked to grow the country’s economy and continue to assist in other areas and therefore their allowance must be increased.

He said in his constituency primary school going children were still taught under the trees adding that the ministry should increase development budget to cater for such situations.

Further he called for drainage infrastructure to be improved in his area. 

Tlokweng MP, Ms Same Bathobakae also appreciated government intervention on people living with disabilities and she also called on the ministry to ensure that the allowance the ministry intends to give people with disabilities is enough. 

Further she commended MLGRD for revamping and refurbishing tribal offices in Tlokweng saying that the challenge that remained was transport. 

She also called for storm water drainage system and sewage system particularly in the newly developed plots; Maratang, Ranfura in her constituency to be developed. 

Lerala/ Maunatlala MP and also minister of Lands and Housing Mr Prince Maele also said there was need to increase district councils budget for the reason that councilors always complain that budget allocated to councils is not enough. 

He said his constituency particularly in areas of Lerala and Maunatlala is characteried of mountains which require proper road network and a storm water drainage system to channel water to the right places and avoid situations where water destroys infrastructure or residential homesteads during rainy seasons.

 Further Mr Maele said Manaledi, Goosekgweng and Mokokwana courts of Arbitration must be upgraded to Court of Records because of their populations. Mahalapye West MP Mr Joseph Molefe said in his constituency old age pensioners travel long distance to get their allowances, a situation which he said must be addressed.

He said implementation of destitute housing was slow, saying it can take up to nine months to construct one house. 

He called for the turnaround time to be reduced to at least six months.

Mr Molefe also called for construction of a bus rank in Mahalapye reasoning that it is the center place which supplies all routes in the region and that all buses use it which necessitates the need for construction of a bus rank that can service customers effectively. 

Letlhakeng /Lephephe MP Mr Liakat Karblay also commended government for making allowance provisions for people living with disabilities. 

On other issues he said Marajwane Primary school students in his constituency travel long distances to school every day, which he said was unhealthy. 

He suggested that transport arrangement could be made for them. ENDS