24 Mar 2021

Effective April, all destitute persons in Kgatleng District will be moved from the use of food coupon cards to cash transfers.

This was said by Kgatleng District Council chairperson, Mr Daniel Molokwe during the Kgatleng full council session on Tuesday.

Mr Molokwe said it was in line with the country’s decision to move away from material support for beneficiaries to cash transfers.

He further noted that government had contracted Botswana Savings Bank and Botswana Post to deliver cash to beneficiaries.

“Botswana Savings Bank will administer cash benefits to destitute persons in Mochudi only while the rest of the areas will be covered by Botswana Post,” he stated.

He said the arrangement would cover destitute persons only and would gradually be extended to orphans and home-based care patients.

Mr Molokwe further stated that beneficiaries would be given bank cards that would be loaded with cash, and that they could either withdraw the money or swipe to buy food.

He advised beneficiaries to use the cash for the intended purposes.

Regarding the Remote Area Development Programme, he said there were 75 remote area dwellers’ children enrolled in social safety nets. He said it included 22 pupils who were cared for at Kgomodiatshaba Hostel and 53 pupils based at Khurutshe Hostel.

He said all beneficiaries were supported with monthly supplies of food, toiletries, fresh produce and school necessities.

Mr Molokwe noted that COVID-19 health protocols had overstretched the facility at Khurutshe, hence the temporary arrangement to accommodate 17 Khurutshe pupils at Kgomodiatshaba Hostel.

He said the pupils commuted between Kgomodiatshaba and Khurutshe on a daily basis, which also exerted pressure on scarce transport resources as well as negatively affecting the pupils.

Mr Molokwe noted that consultations were ongoing to transfer the affected pupils to Kgomodiatshaba where there was space both at the hostel and classrooms.

He said council had requested funding for the procurement of porta cabins to be used at Khurutshe and was still awaiting feedback. ENDS