20 May 2020

Boteti Sub-district Assistant Council Secretary Mr Milton Keitshokile has said the assessment of those affected by COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was a challenge because of many multi-residential households, particularly in Letlhakane village.

He said they were however left with only 800 families to complete food distribution in Boteti East whilst distribution in Boteti West had been completed.

Mr Keitshokile said this when briefing the Director of Rural Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Serufho Ntsabane on Monday.

He expressed concern that some people had from their family homesteads to stay alone, leading to an increase in the number of beneficiaries.

Food packages in Orapa, a mining town, was mostly given to those working in gardens, house helpers and taxi operators.

Village Development Committee members who assisted during COVID-19 will be paid through Ipelegeng.

Boteti Sub-district council chairperson Mr Molemi Galeragwe said Ms Ntsabane’s visit would enable them to put more effort in assisting those affected by lockdown.

Mr Galeragwe noted that Boteti has many villages located in remote areas and some of the companies did not pay their staff hence the increase in the number of beneficiaries.

He said the coupon system could have been used rather than food distribution and also called for payment of overtime for public servants who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing that failure to do so would demoralise them.

Ms Ntsabane said the purpose of the visit was to appreciate how the sub-district conducted all its assessment processes including plan, procurement and food distribution to the households. Ends