Nalumango Addresses Social Cash Transfer Challenges

Nalumango Address Social Cash Transfer Challenges

UPND Alliance running mate Mutale Nalumango has addressed the matter of Social Cash Transfers ahead of the 12 August 2021 elections.

She notes that more than 3 million people, around 20% of the population, are currently registered to receive Social Cash Transfers. Social protection has become an increasingly important subject, with rising inflation and joblessness adding to the number of vulnerable households.

“The levels of inconsistency in the disbursement of social cash transfers due to mismanagement and corruption under the PF government have negatively impacted the development and survival of the vulnerable and marginalized households across our nation,” Nalumango writes.

“Under the UPND, we will promote transparency and access to social protection. No money from the Social Cash Transfer programme will be used to buy expensive vehicles and pay hefty allowances for government officials at the expense of poor Zambians,” she continues.

In May 2021 former cabinet minister Emerine Kabanshi was jailed for two years after being found guilty of abusing the authority of her office in the administration of the Social Cash Transfer programme.

Additionally, last year’s Auditor General report revealed that over K450 million was not distributed to Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries. While 90% of the funded amount is meant to be spent on beneficiaries and just 10% on administration, the Auditor General found there was a substantial underspend on beneficiaries, while there was an overspend on other costs associated with the programme.