07 Jul 2019

The ministry  of Local Government and Rural Development through councils, conducts regular assessment to update destitution registers in their respective district, as per the destitute policy.

Answering a question in Parliament recently, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso explained that as a result of the regular assessment, some destitute persons might be removed from the programme,others graduate out of the programme while the deceased are de-registered.

 She said where some beneficiaries had been inadvertently removed from the programme they were instantly reinstated to rectify the mistake.

Furthermore, she said in line with the policy provision, Southern District Council conducted mass assessment for destitute person in 2017.

Ms Tshireletso further said there were instances where inconveniences were caused to destitute persons when the assessment was conducted as they were removed from the programme.

“However, during the said period, the beneficiaries were reconsidered and continued to receive food rations. Staff at all Social and Community Department charged with implementing the Destitution Policy are qualified social welfare officers,” she said. MP for Kanye South Mr Abram Kesupile had asked if the minister  was aware that the continuing unexplained withdrawals and reinstatement of the social welfare rations frustrated destitute and home based care beneficiaries in the Southern District.

He also wanted the minister to elucidate the causes and how the issue would  be rectified, how the ministry assisted those who were inconvenienced by the loss of rations for months, and the qualifications

of staff assigned to assist those affected. ENDS

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