LIMPOPO – To ensure the fair distribution of food parcels to identified vulnerable households during the nationwide lockdown, the Limpopo Provincial Command Council, headed by Premier Chupu Mathabatha has established a Provincial Food Bank.
The MEC for Social Development, Nkakareng Rakgoale says district and local municipalities, teams of social workers, community development workers and practitioners, as well as municipal public participation officials will ensure that the lists of beneficiaries are scrutinised in an effort to ensure that the food parcels are distributed to the most vulnerable.
Among other things, the teams will consolidate lists submitted by the various stakeholders.
Spokesperson, Witness Tiva, says the Department of Social Development had set aside R7,6 million for this financial year for the Social Relief of Distress programme and this amount will partly be utilised to help needy communities during the lockdown period.
“Food parcels received from all donors will be stored at the Provincial Food Bank and will be further distributed to beneficiaries, guided by lists which will be consolidated by the teams from the five districts and 22 local municipalities,” he explained.
Tiva added that allegations surrounding ward councillors said to be giving food parcels to people who are not deserving have emerged and teams will guard against such alleged irregularities.
On Friday, Rakgoale received 5 000 food parcels from the Rheinland and Global Group to be distributed to households in the Molemole and Blouberg Municipal areas.
“The teams that are to be established at municipal level will go a long way in ensuring the well- coordinated distribution of food parcels to beneficiaries across all municipalities. The good thing about this process of our disaster relief efforts is that all the political parties represented in the Provincial Legislature bought into the idea. I want to ensure all vulnerable members of communities that they will get assistance at the end of the day,” said MEC Rakgoale.
