Africa-Press – Botswana. Matopi residents have been told that some commodities will soon be exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT).
Addressing residents in a kgotla meeting recently, Member of Parliament for Tati East, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, who is also Minister of Education and Skills Development, told residents that a Bill seeking to amend the Act was presented before the just ended Parliament sitting and once approved, some commodities, among them, petroleum, gas, diapers, condoms, sanitary pads, agricultural implements may enjoy tax indemnity.
Dr Letsholathebe added that while food had turned to be expensive, some products such as flour and cooking oil may also be exempted from VAT.
“Some retailers always find a way of bypassing the system and charging VAT on commodities that are exempted.
This is contravening the law and action will be taken against law breakers,” he said.
On other issues, the MP told residents that government had made a decision to depopulate the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) affected Zone 6b and compensate farmers with P3 000 for each beast.
“Government will only take money for the expenses incurred on transporting cattle from the affected area to the abattoir while the bulk of the proceeds accrued from the sale of the meat will be given back to the farmer, thus increasing the compensation to at least P7 000 or more,” he added.
He therefore encouraged farmers to use the proceeds from their livestock sale sparingly and consider engaging on smallstock, poultry, agro-tourism and others that would boost the economy.
On issues relating to education, Dr Letsholathebe said the ministry would continue to issue secondary and junior school learners as well as teachers with laptops and tablets as part of embracing digitalisation under the Reset Agenda.
In their comments, some residents complained about the trees along Francistown-Matsiloje road, low compensation rate of cattle slaughtered after crossing the border to Zimbabwe, overcrowded brigades as well as late payment to suppliers, among others. Some had argued that the admission quota was too small compared to the number of applicants, as such requested the minister to consider increasing the number of admissions at brigade level.
Again, some residents were concerned about inadequate water supply in their village, which was provided through bowsing to fill the village water tank as well as low water pressure while they were in turn expected to pay high water bills.
As such, they suggested that water tokens be used instead.
Councillor for Matsiloje/Matopi ward, Ms Flora Mpetsane appreciated construction of the kgotla shelter as well as spot raids on drugs and substance peddlers or users by Botswana Police Service, which had resulted in some arrests.
However, Cllr Mpetsane decried the low number of special education teachers in schools.
He therefore urged the minister to consider training more, particularly early childhood graduates in order to assist learners with special needs.
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