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Deputy Minister for the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, Obed Bapela commended the efficacy of the eye testing equipment at the Mahikeng Local Municipality Drivers Learners Testing Centre (DTLC) after failing an eye test on Tuesday afternoon.

“The eye test and vehicle testing equipment for light motor vehicles and heavy motor vehicles confirmed to me that the DTLC is maintained to support a credible drivers testing licensing system, “said Deputy Minister Bapela on conclusion of his visit at the DLTC.

The centre targeted for major upgrading and automation in the current financial year as per the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan was the third service site to be visited by Bapela during his unannounced Front Service Delivery Monitoring (FSDM) visit.

The need for communication with clients to be improved was identified at Mahikeng South African Security Agency Local Offices after 31 year old Tsholofelo Matini of Montshioa was found queuing while she was in possession of a care dependency grant approval letter.

After interaction with clients, Bapela and Provincial MEC for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi agreed with South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) management that beneficiary education should be intensified.

An observation was that most applicants for disability grants were unemployed people who were not permanently disabled but those who pursued the chance to be declared disabled so that they should be kept on disability grants.

Seventy five year old Elizabeth Makalake of Magogoe Koi-Koi praised Koketso Thabeng, an employee SASSA for excellent service experienced during change method of payment .The office serves about 90 walk-ins and reaches about 4 000 grant beneficiaries per week spread across 122 villages.

A follow-up visit to Montshioa Town Clinic which serves about 4 400 patients per week confirmed good practices in location and accessibility, signage and improved supply and availability of medication and drugs.

Additional staff has since been redeployed and appointed at the clinic to address staff shortage which local resident Kebuileng Aobeng agreed has since been alleviated by extension of services at Lonely Park Clinic and Gateway Clinic from 5 to 7 days.

Recommendation for extension of the clinic to address overcrowding have been escalated to the Provincial Department of Health for intervention for the project to be prioritised.

“While there is room for improvement, service delivery improvement is notable and should be backed up by an urgent review of the financial model for Mahikeng Local municipality and conclusion of investigations into the establishment of the Customer Care Centre” concluded Bapela.

Non-wearing of name-tags and failure to print signage in Setswana which is the language of the majority of citizens in the province were pointed out as issues that require the urgent attention of management at visited sites.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Bapela is to present a report highlighting best practices, challenges and interventions required as per performance monitoring visits to schools, Health facilities, Police stations and SASSA Offices conducted earlier in March.

The report is to be tabled to Exco for engagement and intervention on Wednesday.