09 Feb 2021

The MP for Mahalapye East, Mr Yandani Boko has appealed to the Minister of Basic Education to close schools as the number of COVID-19 cases were increasing.

Debating the 2021/22 national  budget proposals on Monday, MP Boko said he was heartened by the fact that MPs were having virtual meetings hence protecting themselves from the pandemic but nothing was done to protect pupils.

He said pupils were forced to congest in public transport thus putting them at risk of contracting the virus. 

MP Boko further accused the leadership of failing the country, saying there was nothing concrete that showed the country was fighting the pandemic.

He said finance and economic development minister, Dr Thapelo Matsheka in his speech did not state the exact amount that would be used to acquire vaccines, adding that he was saddened by the procurement of expensive presidential vehicles while the country was faced with economic hardships.

The Mahalapye East MP said the increment of Value Added Tax (VAT) by two per cent to 14 per cent, introduction of levies on second-hand import vehicles and sweetened beverages were detrimental to the lives of the poor people who were already struggling.

He said there was no evidence that tax increments would lead to economic recovery.

MP Boko also called for the construction of a bus rank in Mahalapye, saying the current one was prone to floods. ends