Tlokweng destitution numbers continue to rise
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday September 16, 2026 06:00
“This increase could be attributed to old age and ill-health,” stated the Tlokweng Development District Committee (DDC).
According to the report, many of the beneficiaries have been left incapacitated and are therefore unable to work or engage in income-generating activities.
Meanwhile, it has raised concerns over the eligibility criteria for permanent destitution support, particularly amongst beneficiaries aged 65 and above who receive the P1,400old-age pension.
It notes that the pension allowance is inconsistent with the Revised National Policy on Destitute Persons (RNPDP) of 2002, which defines a destitute person as someone whose income is P300 or below.
Consequently, the report calls for a review of the RNPDP to reflect changing trends and patterns of destitution.
The review, it argues, would help ensure that the policy remains relevant to the current socio-economic conditions affecting vulnerable people.
Meanwhile, it has revealed that there is a noticeable decrease in the number of Temporary Destitute persons by 11, from 41 to 30, attributed to a change in the economic status of the clients who found jobs. “Out of the 11 clients who have graduated from the programme, five were referred to the Ikageng Public Works programme,” it revealed.
“However, the numbers in this category are still high as the number of clients come to Tlokweng because of its proximity to Gaborone, in search of jobs and accessibility to referral hospitals; when their expectations are not met, they seek assistance from the district council.”
In an effort to mitigate this issue, the district’s clients are repatriated to their home villages, though it is costly, the report highlighted.
Furthermore, the report stated that four clients have been repatriated since April 2026 to date, and they were repatriated to Kanye, Molapowabojang, Pitsane, and Mmathubudukwane, though some returned.
Meanwhile, on Ipelegeng (Drought Relief Programme), the project memorandum budget was at P 5 958,228.00 and to implement 54 projects for the 2026–2027 financial year. “Of these, 45 are labour-intensive projects, while five are technical in nature and four in skills development. The requested funds will cover labour costs, material expenses, procurement of protective equipment and tools,” the report indicates.
The beneficiaries are engaged as cleaners in both primary and secondary schools, cooks at primary schools for provision of breakfast, vegetation control, road sweeping, desilting of stormwater drainage, refencing, and construction at a monthly quota of 453.