25 Jun 2020

Government has disbursed P314 839 250 towards COVID-19 food relief to cover 425 839 households with a total expenditure of P318 017 252.77,  the assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele has revealed.

   Giving an update on the impacts and effects of COVID-19 June 23, Mr Modukanele the difference was made for through donations adding that P12m was in kind. 

   He said so far 536 370 households had been assessed.

Mr Modukanele pointed out that although 425 839 households were provided with food relief during phase one of the programme, there were challenges of inadequate stakeholder engagement during the screening of households and food distribution. 

The assistant minister also decried lack of uniformity in the assessment process as other people gave false information. 

The assessment and distribution of food ran simultaneously thereby leading to a database that was not up to date, he said adding that the absence of a robust database led to double-dipping. 

Mr Modukanele said provision of false information to assessment teams led to abuse of government’s noble intention to assist those distressed as a result of the pandemic. 

 “People made shelters just to benefit, while some business people bought the same food from beneficiaries, only to resell at a higher price,” he said. 

He said some retailers also escalated food prices taking advantage that government was buying from them. 

“We are stealing from ourselves, I strongly disapprove,” he said. 

Regarding phase two of the programme, Mr Modukanele said discussions were ongoing with a view to assist a limited number of beneficiaries found to be still in dire need.

 Phase two would be informed by the results of in-depth and thorough screening of those who were assisted during the first phase.ends