21 Feb 2021

Government has used P421 million on the COVID-19 Food Relief Programme which was augmented by donations from the private sector, diplomatic missions, development partners and individuals.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele said this when answering a question in Parliament.

He said they provided food and hygiene items to vulnerable households across the country, adding that the initial estimated budget for the food relief package was about P318 million.

Mr Modukanele noted that over 15 000 citizen entrepreneurs were engaged, including general dealers, tuck-shops, poverty eradication beneficiaries, community development projects groups and cooperatives.

He said in response to COVID-19, the ministry provided food and hygiene items to 429 255 vulnerable households across the country which translated to a total of 1 229 280 people assisted.

Palapye legislator, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi wanted the minister to state the number of people that had been assisted thus far with food as part of relief measures in the fight against COVID-19.

He also wanted the minister to state the number of those not yet assisted and the timelines for when they would be assisted.

MP Ramogapi also wanted the minister to state how much had been spent on the programme and what the actual budget was.

He also wanted to know the companies that were engaged to supply food in the programme and whether they were citizen-owned companies.ENDS