Question NW2157 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
24 December 2020 - NW2157
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether there have been any delays with payments of the Covid-19 Relieve Fund Voucher; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) is the progress made to date in payments, (b) is the total number of small-scale farmers who had their vouchers redeemed, (c) is the total amount paid since the end of July 2020, (d) are the reasons for any delays in payments, (e) plans does her department have to address the delays including timelines for each action and (f) steps has her department taken to support the current production input costs requirement while recipients wait?
Reply:
Yes.
a) R519 926 531 paid to date.
b) The Department is unable to determine the number of farmers who redeemed their vouchers as one farmer might have several vouchers but not redeem them all at once.
c) R482 930 327 paid as at end of July 2020.
d) Delays are mainly attributable to the process of reconciliation of each voucher and validating that the right person has redeemed the voucher.
e) Capacity for performing verification and reconciliation of invoices and supplier statements has been enhanced within the Department. Daily reconciliation is done with all invoices submitted.
f) The Department has extended the voucher validity period from 30 September 2020 to 31 December 2020 in order to afford suppliers an opportunity to replenish their stock levels as well as to afford farmers enough time to redeem their vouchers.