16 Jan 2014

Continuous network unavailability in the Shoshong area negatively affects efficient service delivery.

This was said by heads of government departments in the Shoshong constituency during a meeting with Member of Parliament, Mr Phillip Makgalemele recently. Mr Moemedi Mmekwane, Head of Shoshong Brigade, complained about extended software downtime, which he said can last from morning until close of business.

He said such outages affect efficient use of the GABS system, which was meant to improve service delivery. “Government must engage reliable network service providers and upgrade the GABS system so that it becomes available at all times,” he said.

The same sentiments were shared by Acting Deputy School Head of Mahutagane Junior School Ms Keneilwe Patson who said the GABS system should be made available around the clock for both internal and external users.

She said customers rely on GABS to make their payments while the school bursar uses the system to purchase essential needs like food for the students. “Our customers are disadvantaged when the system is down and this tarnishes the image and reputation of our institution.

Government also loses a lot of revenue while a lot of productive time is wasted,” she said. Ms Patson explained that there is no how customers can make payments when the system is down, as receipts are generated from the GABS system.

She added that this has resulted in some parents not being able to pay school fees for their children. “Our customers are not happy with our service.

Parents don’t pay school fees and tend to lay the blame on our faulty system. Some even accuse us of claiming that the system is down so we can just laze around,” she said. ENDS