WATCH: Northwest hits back over animal drawn carts bought for Mahikeng communities
The Northwest Department of Community Safety and Transport Management says it is concerned about "misguided statements" that are shared on social media about newly bought animal drawn carts.
Last week, Northwest Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) Sello Lehari handed out these carts to twenty beneficiaries of Dibono and Manawana villages outside Mahikeng, with most of the beneficiaries being women.
The carts have since caused a buzz on social media, with some criticizing the department for donating means of transportation used decades ago and others speculating about the price.
In a statement on Sunday, the department says this project was in line with the National Land Transport Act, seeking to alleviate challenges faced by rural communities.
As for the price, the department has hit back to comments that the carts supposedly cost up to R8 million.
The department states that the twenty carts were procured for a total of R780 000, inclusive of the three-year maintenance plan.
"The carts were manufactured in Lonely Park in Mafikeng and there had been skills transfer to some of the beneficiaries. As part of the contract with the Department, the service provider will maintain the carts for the next three years at no cost to owners. The 2-seater is R32 500 each and the 4-seater is R45 500.
"The Department wishes to plead with social media users to verify information rather than palating falsity and deceitfulness that harm the character of the Department, the MEC and the management. The records referred to above are available for anyone wishing to verify them and the Department hereby encourages anyone to contact us on any issue before sharing unsolicited information", reads the statement.
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