15 Dec 2020

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele says there are no plans to handover the Matimela Programme to the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security.

Mr Modukanele who was answering a question in Parliament said relocating Matimela programme to the ministry of agricultural development would frustrate the aspirations of the Decentralisation policy which was currently at its final stage of formulation and seeks to transfer power and authority from central government to local authorities.

Also, he said new developments were underway where the two ministries would collaborate to improve Matimela services by utilizing the Botswana Information and Traceability System (BAITS) to notify owners of Matimela where practicable. 

He said his ministry, through the local authorities, was responsible for development programmes and provision of services at local level, hence promoting citizen or community participation for efficient, effective, accountable and equitable service delivery.

Mr Modukanele was answering a question from Member of Parliament for Ghanzi South, Mr Motsamai Motsamai who wanted to know if there were plans to hand over Matimela Programme to the ministry of agricultural development. ENDS