04 May 2020

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Lemogang Kwape has advised the Kanye Administrative Authority (KAA) COVID-19 Command officers to be cautious in their systems of procurement, lest they find themselves being on the wrong side of the law.

Dr Kwape said this in his remarks after being given an update by the COVID-19 KAA officers. He advised them against circumventing the processes of procurement, adding that they should instead make procurement processes clear and transparent.

“You should take heed of the systems of procurement and perform your duties with utmost diligence and declare interests where necessary,” he noted.

Dr Kwape advised them to exercise control over the budget, as it would eventually be negatively affected. He further thanked the officers for their commitment towards ensuring that Batswana were assisted.

He advised that Dikgosi should be engaged in provision of permits in their respective wards, adding that Dikgosi know their people better.

Dr Kwape also advised that permits should not be issued to people going outside their zones, unless under justifiable situations.

He said that there should be consistency with regard to assisting the people when distributing food in order to avoid commotion.

The minister cited that complaints had been raised from certain wards about inconsistencies in distribution of the COVID-19 relief packages.

He noted that for some people food packages were delivered at their doorsteps, while in other wards people were expected to collect at the kgotla, adding that this was unfair and could cause misunderstandings.

With regard to facemasks, he advised that currently everyone was expected to wear facemasks, adding that there was need for the community to be sensitised and encouraged before action could be taken against those that did not comply.

He indicated anyone who failed to wear a facemask in public could be fined up to P5000, adding that people should be taught before being penalised.

Dr Kwape further shared that this could also be an opportunity for those in the tailoring and textile industry to earn a living out of it.

In his update, KAA acting Deputy District Commissioner, Mr Balume Bulayani said they had managed to employ 116 temporary social workers.  He said the assessments had been a bit slow initially but had since improved.

He said the major challenge had been supplies, adding that procurement of sorghum and maize meals in local shops had been a challenge.

“We have tried by all means to empower the local shops and not rely much on the chain stores. We are managing everything so far in terms of procurement,” he said.

Mr Bulayani said, as Moshupa and Kanye were behind in distribution of food packages. ENDS