06 Mar 2017

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe says he is aware that some poverty eradication projects are partially funded.
He told Parliament last week that the total backlog of partially funded packaged beneficiaries stands at 254. Out of the number, he said 54 were from the Department of Gender Affairs, who were waiting for water, electricity and petrol for their engines. “Arrangements have been made for beneficiaries to collect petrol from local filling stations,” he said.
He said from animal production department, there were 151 beneficiaries who experienced short supply of goats. “The department is busy buying goats and packaging is continuing,” he added.
He said under Crop Production, 33 beneficiaries were delayed by water connectivity by Water Utilities Corporation (WUC).
Mr Kwerepe said from Forestry and Range Resources, three beneficiaries were also delayed by WUC with water connectivity, while 13 beneficiaries from the Department of Social and Community Development (S&CD) were awaiting bakery implements such as generators or gas cylinders. However, he noted that S&CD was now giving beneficiaries the missing items.
As for the Rural Area Development Programme (RADP) dwellers, he said there were no beneficiaries given goats without water because water availability was a requirement. However, he said arrangements were in order for hiring boreholes for RADP beneficiaries.
Mr Kwerepe further noted that he was unaware of beneficiaries that were given small stock packages without water and noted that the package for small stock was only availed where there was water, or otherwise beneficiaries were advised to choose other alternative packages.
“I am informed that for cattle under RADP, arrangement is made with borehole owners to water beneficiary’s livestock. Currently, council has assessed and discovered boreholes that are utilised at Tshokatshaa and Lepashe,” he said.
Mr Kwerepe further said it was true that there were beneficiaries that had been trained, but had not received packages as yet, because packaging was an ongoing process.
In Tutume Sub-District, he said there were 659 beneficiaries awaiting packaging, but noted that districts were continuing to package them.
Nata-Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga had asked if the minister was aware that most beneficiaries under the poverty eradication programme were not given the needed items under the available packages or were unable to continue with production.
Mr Majaga also asked the minister to state as to whether he was aware that those beneficiaries with packages that require water, and were without water end up with their livestock being confiscated by borehole owners for failure to pay for water.
In addition, he asked if the minister would consider buying another ranch in Lepashe or Nata area for such beneficiaries. Further, he wanted to know if Mr Kwerepe was aware that beneficiaries had gone for training, but were not given their package since 2014. ENDS