17 Jan 2013

Some shop owners contracted to operate smart switch machines have been accused of cheating destitute people.

North West District Council (NWDC) chief social worker, Mr Uyapo Mafunye, made the accusation in an interview recently.

He said they discovered the scam during  the surprise visits they paid to some shops around the district. He said some shop owners misled beneficiaries into exhausting all the money.

“In some cases, some business owners give beneficiaries credit then withhold their cards until payment at month end, but this is not allowed,” said Mr Mafunye.

He further stated that some guardians of orphaned children connived with shop owners. 

"We recently caught one such guardian buying drinks for a baby shower and another one with sanitary pads though the beneficiary was a boy," he said.

He explained that before the new system was developed, government used to buy and deliver food rations. Unlike the old system when beneficiaries had to stick to dates when food baskets would be delivered, the current system, he explained, afforded beneficiaries a choice and buying power to purchase goods at their convenience using smart switch cards.

Mr Mafunye advised the public to report such incidents to his office so that action could be taken.

He warned dishonest shop owners against cheating, saying their contracts with government would be terminated if they continued the practice. ENDS