By OBAKENG MAJE
Farmers across the North West province said the decision to suspend the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) vouchers will affect them in the long run. In a statement released today (13 January 2022), the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) confirmed that it has suspended all the Presidential Employment Stimulus(PES) implementation with immediate effect until further notice.
According to the department, they have received endless complaints after the initiative was marred with mismanagement. It is alleged that farmers who redeemed their vouchers were ‘illegally’ charged 25-27% by retailers.
One of the beneficiaries, Kelebogile Mokgatle (33) from Rustenburg said inflated prices by suppliers have severely affected them.
“The supplier’s mark up on prices varied depending on how they charged us. We had to pay over 25% and this affected me as an emerging farmer. We produced Grey Brahman and large white pigs crossbreed with Duroc breed.
“I am passionate about farming, but this kind of delinquency is going to demoralise us. Farmers contribute to the growth of the economy and food security. So, we call on the department to address this transgression,” he said.
Another subsistence farmer, Violet Moitlobo from Rustenburg also shared the same sentiments. Moitlobo said she started to embark on farming in 2019 and things weren’t looking good.
“I specialise in layer chicken and have a 14 hectare farm. I think there was confusion between the department and retailers. I did my own research and I realised that we were not supposed to be charged a commission. Somebody must take responsibility and explain what had really transpired,” she said.
One of the suppliers who are also a producer of animal feed, Tshepiso Jantjie said: “I heard some farmers complaining about that and alleged that some suppliers charged them 27% excluding VAT when redeeming their vouchers.
“It is unfair to do so because this has eventually affected both commercial and subsistence farmers. I personally saw farmers as far as Ganyesa and Morokweng villages near Vryburg flocking to my store because they were charged exorbitant amounts elsewhere,” Jantjie said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo said: “The department is reviewing, re-engineering and re-designing PES implementation to address all challenges experienced. It is unfortunate that we have received endless complaints from the PES beneficiaries and the South African community at large, regarding various challenges on the PES implementation.
“These implementation challenges cannot be left unattended, hence the decision by the department to temporarily halt the current implementation. Beneficiaries are further urged to check their cell phones’ messages as sent by the department from time to time.”
The Guardian 