08 Oct 2015

The government has enacted a bill to reduce the tax paid by companies which take part in community projects.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Lentsweletau on Tuesday (October 6), the Member of Parliament for Lensweletau-Mmopane, Mr Vincent Seretse said the tax reduction would be a way to appreciate their involvement in community projects.

Mr Seretse, who is also the Minister of Trade and Industry, also said Parliament has passed a security bill which would provide guidelines for security companies. 

He said the government has noted that some security companies exploit workers by paying them low wages and making them work long hours without shifts or lunch breaks.

He highlighted that the bill has been enacted to protect security companies employees as well as clients, adding that it has been realised that some security companies employ undesirable individuals who turn out to be crooks and steal from the  premises  they were supposed to protect.

On other issues, Mr Seretse informed residents that since it has been declared a drought season, the government has reduced prices on livestock feeds by 25 per cent, adding that in remote-area schools, two meals would be provided for pupils. 

He said children under five-years-old would receive their monthly rations at clinics. 

The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency chief executive officer, Mr Thabo Thamane, who also attended the meeting, told residents that the agency has spent P8 million funding projects in Lentsweletau, adding that the projects have employed 42 people.

Mr Thamane noted that P7 million has funded agricultural projects,  P3.3 million has funded youth projects and P1.1 million has funded service providing projects. 

He raised concern that residents were reluctant on start businesses, especially women and youth. He advised them to venture into property and manufacturing in order to create more employment.

He said it was a concern that some youth have abandoned their businesses, or left them with their parents.

Mr Thamane also noted that Lentsweletau was a mountainous area which could offer tourism business opportunities. 

He added that lodges were not the only tourism projects to venture into, adding that residents could invest in civic views.

 However one of the residents, Mr Kgetsi Ramosimane complained that they were never awarded tenders as residents for projects in their locality.  Another resident, Mr Booker Mogapi pleaded for the extension of their clinic and its hours of operation. There was also an outcry from residents about the lack of reception for the national television. Ends