13 Jan 2021

COVID-19 is depleting government funds, Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe has stated.

 Mr Lelatisitswe said in Letlhakane Monday that some projects planned for implementation this financial year might not be undertaken.

The next planning session would be on zero budget, he said further explaining that funds used for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine were not part of the National Development Plan. 

It was therefore crucial for Batswana to devise alternative income generating measures to adapt to the new way of living, the assistant minister said.

  He also urged the public to change their lifestyles and reduce movement.

One resident, Mr Tshikinya Mabusi complained that plot allocation had since been halted at Sekwe and also decried the high number of squatters in the area.

In response, assistant council secretary Ms Ndidza Molatole said allocation of plots was delayed by shortage of resources.

For his part, Mr Lelatisitswe implored public servants to address the issue of Sekwe squatters.

Explaining that most were people who used to live on farms, he called for the application of affirmative action in allocating them land.

The matter, he said, should be treated with utmost seriousness as shelter restored dignity. Ends