23 Feb 2016

Some Ipelegeng beneficiaries travel long distances to receive their wages at post offices as a result of some unfortunate incidences which happened in the past.

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said unfortunate incidences where officers transporting cash for payment of Ipelegeng beneficiaries in the past were intercepted or robbed whilst on transits had resulted in council discontinuing the practice.

Ms Tshireletso said it was discontinued because it exposed staff to life threatening situations and resources used were either stolen or vandalised.

“The current arrangement may inconvenience the beneficiaries by cutting a portion of their wages; however arrangements are usually made for those beneficiaries who come from very far areas such as Sepako, Tsokotshaa and Maposa,” he added.

The assistant minister noted that beneficiaries with no reliable public operation are provided with transport to travel to nearest villages to receive their wages at the post office.

She highlighted that in future Council would engage with relevant mobile financial or banking service providers to explore the possibilities of bringing pay points closer to beneficiaries at affected areas.

Ms Tshireletso was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga who wanted to know if the minister was aware that some Ipelegeng employees travel long distances for their payments.
He also asked the minister if the new arrangement does not inconvenience their meager pay by cutting a portion of it and whether there were any plans to bring pay points closer to them. Ends