09 Aug 2020

Structures are in place to assist distressed families in the midst of the on-going greater Gaborone lockdown, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele has said.

Responding to a question in Parliament from Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas on August 7, Mr Modukanele said the ministry was aware that the lockdown had caused some activities in the informal sector to be on hold and as such families and individuals who depended on them were affected.

He said village development committees, councilors and MPs should be within reach to assist the affected families.

“We are alive to the distress caused by the current lockdown and the ministry will make interventions to assist distressed families,” he stated

Furthermore, he said the Destitute Policy of 2002 through its temporary destitution component catered for any eventuality such as the greater Gaborone lockdown.

Mr Modukanele also stated that the ministry was closely monitoring the situation through local authorities and would mobilise with speed, should need arise.

Mr Lucas wanted to know how the current lockdown had affected the daily sustenance of individuals and families who subsisted on informal sector activities and who, due to poverty, lived from hand to mouth.

He also wanted to find out if there was any short term sustenance programme in the ministry to cater for the needs of those who were poor and were not covered by any existing welfare programmes.

Furthermore, he wanted to know if the minister did not see any need for the porgramme and had asked as to when there was likely to be roll out of such a programme to affected individuals and families in the greater Gaborone.

Leader of Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, argued that the destitution programme should not be used as a solution for the lockdown in the greater Gaborone, adding that the situation was dire for most families, even those that were not covered by the programme.

Takatokwane MP, Mr Friction Leuwe and Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile, said sophistication of online permits, especially to rural dwellers had also exacerbated the situation because even those people who could buy food for themselves were not able to access movement permits.

“During the first lockdown, everything was in place to assist those in need. Currently nothing is being said,” stated Mr Leuwe.

Gaborone Central MP, Mr Tumisang Healy, complained that hustlers were struggling to survive and the numbers of people who needed assistance were rising on daily basis. ENDS