admin
Herald Reporter
At least 200 000 households have been paid under the Government’s $600 million cash transfer programme introduced as a three months’ programme in March.
This was said by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister, Lovemore Matuke in Senate last week.
The facility was introduced by Government to cushion vulnerable groups whose livelihoods were affected by the lockdown.
Deputy Minister Matuke added that payments were expected to improve in the next few days.
One million households are expected to benefit under the facility with the money being sent through mobile money transfer platforms.
“The ministry came up with a database, but the problem is most of the people register and some of those who register make several mistakes so the verification exercise took a bit of time, but I hope in the next few days we will be able to witness a lot of payments, but we have actually paid up to 200 000 (households) to date,” Deputy Minister Matuke said.
The disbursement of the money began in April and will end at the end of next month.
Deputy Minister Matuke said people with poor mobile phones connectivity in their areas should approach social welfare offices at district level.
Apart from the vulnerable households, 129 000 small and medium-scale enterprises are expected to benefit from a separate bailout after most of them ceased their operations at the onset of the lockdown.
The Government has since relaxed some of the lockdown measures with some businesses now allowed to operate between 8am and 4.30pm on condition that they comply with social distancing and other health regulations.
While some measures were relaxed the lockdown was extended indefinitely and would be reviewed fortnightly from May 31.
Online Reporter