29 Mar 2016

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen says there is a shortage of smart switch machines in Tutume Sub-district because his ministry has suspended the approval of smart switch machines.

He said the suspension was effected in February 2016 and that it was ordered to allow for the conclusion of the procurement process for a new service provider, adding that the process was expected to be completed by end of August of 2016.

Mr Van Der Westhuizen, however, said there were three shops in Dukwi that have smart switch machines but that one of the shops was closed. 

“The operating ones are Yendisani Tuck Shop and Bee Mazh Investment which gives residents an advantage of choice,” said Mr Van Der Westhuizen.

He said the manner in which councils received and attended to applications for registration of new merchants was very thorough and transparent by advertising of new applications through kgotla notice boards.

The MP for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister if he was aware that there was serious shortage of smart switch machines in the Tutume Sub-district, especially in Dukwi, and that the registration of machines was done with few businesses in an unfair manner whereby one business was supplying the whole village which was tantamount to corruption. Ends