13 Jul 2023

Government has employed 221 social workers since 2014 to fill 192 vacant posts that existed in respective councils and 29 in hospitals.

This was said by Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule, on July 12 when responding to a question from Mahalapye East MP, Mr Yandani Boko.

Mr Pule said the numbers were part of the 500 in councils and 82 in hospitals nationwide.

He said 79 community development and 13 home economics officers have been employed since 2014.“This therefore means that there are now 600 community development officers, 490 assistant community development officers and 104 home economics officers nationwide,” he said.

Mr Pule said he was aware that in most councils one social worker covered more than one village or wards due to lack of positions in councils.Mr Boko had asked the minister to state when social workers were last employed, and how many have been employed since 2014.

He further asked the minister why one social worker had to cover more than four villages and settlements, and if he was aware that it has affected service delivery in rural villages and settlements.

The MP also asked if there were any plans to employ assistant social workers to relieve social workers and to improve service delivery. ENDS