Africa-Press – Botswana. The recent mass assessment of beneficiaries of various social safety programmes in Mabutsane District Council has resulted in 207 people being recommended for termination from the council aid.
Addressing a full council meeting on Monday, the council chairperson, Mr Tuelo Zulu noted that the mass assessment to review the eligibility of beneficiaries enrolled in the programmes was to facilitate their exit and assistance to gain independence.
He said from a total of 2 634 beneficiaries who were subjected to the assessment, 1 411 were recommended while the rest were either terminated or deferred for more information to inform the final decision.
“At the beginning of May, a total of 2 634 beneficiaries were targeted for assessment and a total of 1 411 have been recommended, 14 have not been recommended, 71 clients were deferred for more information and 207 were recommended for termination. The remaining 931 cases are still to be assessed,” he said.
He noted that while most of the beneficiaries who exited the programme were destitute people who had recovered from various ailments, orphans with a surviving parent were also recommended for exit.
Mr Zulu said the social workers consulted the parents to take on their responsibility, as espoused by the Children’s Act.
However, he underscored the need to ensure that where eligible, those children would be registered in alternative programmes.
“Nevertheless, caution is exercised so that children do not suffer by registering those in need in alternative programmes more especially the needy students’ category,” he explained.
On other issues, Mr Zulu called on the council management to ensure prudent financial management, owing to the council’s financial challenges.
He urged them to exercise caution and closely monitor their expenditure to ensure effective service delivery.
“The financial position of the council remains pressurised, requiring prudent financial management and strategic decision making to ensure fiscal sustainability. I therefore want to encourage procuring entities to closely monitor their budgets, this will ensure financial stability, compliance and budgetary regulations and continued delivery of essential services without compromising the council’s operational efficiency,” he said.
He also regretted that the council’s income generation efforts were thwarted by rental arrears for primary school teachers’ accommodation which had been accruing since September last year.
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