ELIZABETH CHATUVELA
Chienge
A HEADCOUNT exercise has revealed that over 1,000 dead Social Cash Transfer (SCT) scheme beneficiaries in Chienge District have not been removed from the caseload and payments are being disbursed.
This is out of the total caseload of 14,858 vulnerable households in the district.
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSD) Chienge district social welfare officer Edmond Kampape said that most deaths were not reported by the community welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs) due to challenges in obtaining death confirmation letters.
Mr Kampape said the department will engage relevant authorities on the way forward, as dead beneficiaries cannot be replaced without official documentation.
“The large number of unreported deaths was mainly due to CWAC members’ failure to obtain death confirmation letters for the deceased beneficiaries
“Some CWAC members had been reluctant to obtain the letters after allegedly being informed that they were required to pay K50 to have the documents issued, by area chiefs,” Mr Kampape said.
He said the situation has made it difficult for the department to update its records and ensure that the SCT programme benefits the intended recipients.
Puta CWAC chairperson Ackim Lubemba appealed for increased support to enable committee members to effectively carry out their responsibilities.
Mr Lubemba said CWAC members play an important role in identifying and reporting changes affecting beneficiaries but require adequate support and guidance to perform their duties effectively.
“We need more support and guidance so that we can effectively carry out our responsibilities and ensure that the intended beneficiaries continue receiving the support,” Mr Lubemba said.
Chief Lambwe Chikwama has commended the Government for implementing social protection programmes aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable households in the district.
Chief Lambwe Chikwama, however, called on the Department of Community Development to strengthen training for CWAC members so that they understand the importance of the SCT programme and their role in its implementation.
“CWAC members need to be adequately trained so that they understand the importance of these programmes and how they can contribute to ensuring that the intended beneficiaries continue to benefit,” the chief said.
