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Activity update - 23-24 June 2012
Bulawayo Progressive
Residents Association (BPRA)
June 25, 2012
This weekend
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) held four consultative
meetings and two leadership trainings in the different wards in
the city. The issue that stood out the most is that of the Harmonised
Social Cash Transfer (HSCT) where residents of ward 18 in Magwegwe
township complained that the scheme is being abused by a syndicate
of well-connected residents in the area.
The HSCT is
a pilot government social welfare programme which should be fully
managed and administered by the Department of Social Welfare. The
scheme is currently active in only six wards in Bulawayo. It involves
disadvantaged members of the community like children, the elderly,
the disabled and unemployed who receive certain amounts of money
to cushion them from the harsh economic climate. In Magwegwe however,
this scheme has been hijacked by influential people in the ward,
who are reportedly denying residents who were initially drafted
into the scheme access to the funds. The funds are distributed through
Child Protection Committees (CPCs) in the wards. Residents alleged
at the meeting that it is the CPCs that are corrupt.
In some cases
those who were found eligible to receive the funds are said to be
receiving far less than they are supposed to as some youths in the
ward collect the money on their behalf and then deduct as much as
$20 from each recipient's sum in what they say are service
charges for collecting the money for them.
BPRA is currently
investigating the issue and is committed to getting to the bottom
of the issue in order ensure that the corrupt elements in the community
that are abusing the residents' funds and trust are reported
to the police and face the full wrath of the law.
Visit the Bulawayo
Progressive Residents Association fact
sheet
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