31 Jul 2016

Beneficiaries have been called upon to steer clear of corrupt practices lest the long arm of the law catches up with them.

Mr Gomolemo Kgathang, a member of the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs  anti-corruption unit made the call during department of gender affairs pre-funding workshop  in Kanye on Thursday.

Mr Kgathang expressed worry at growing incidents of beneficiaries who reneged from original projects once funds were availed to them; something he warned was wrong.

“Once investigations establishes that indeed someone has gone back on the original idea and used finances allocated for anything else other than the proposed project, such an individual will be charged with either theft common or obtaining by false pretenses,” he warned.

His sentiments were shared by Mr Mompoloki Rodgers, a project officer, also from the same ministry.

Mr Rodgers said it was disheartening to see funds being diverted and misused by beneficiaries; something he noted was likely to deplete government resources.

For her part, senior gender officer, Ms Tebogo Motlogelwa advised beneficiaries to follow procurement processes to the latter to avoid purchasing stolen goods that might hamper their business prospects.

“You must be aware of lurking and calculative criminal syndicates out there whose intent is to steal your money,” she said.

She also urged beneficiaries to stick to their constitutions if they want to succeed in their various projects.

Such constitutions, she further stated should have clauses on disciplinary and the direction to take in the event of the death of fellow members.

Motivational speaker, Ms Tshegofatso Lekone of Tshego’s Beads Empire told beneficiaries never to relent in their quest to become big time business men and women.

“Show hunger for success and set yourselves goals,” she noted saying they should never allow failure to overtake them if they strongly desire to make it in life.

Over 102 individuals and groups of people with projects varying from agriculture, services, manufacturing and construction attended the workshop.ENDS