By Shaffie A Mtambo
The Deputy Director of the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, Laurent Kansinjiro, has stated that the government and its partners are working to address challenges affecting the E-Payment system for SCTP beneficiaries.
Some of the challenges identified include sim card losses, forgotten PIN codes, and reports of agents overcharging cash-out fees, particularly targeting elderly beneficiaries with low literacy levels.
To mitigate these issues, the ministry and partners are sensitizing beneficiaries on sim card care and replacement procedures.
Kansinjiro added that service providers are blacklisting agents who exploit beneficiaries, and local councils are linking beneficiaries to national registration offices for ID processing.
According to Principal Social Welfare Officer in Mulanje, Mavuto Yapoma, the E-Payment system achieved a 60% success rate in its initial cycle.
Yapoma also noted that some SCTP beneficiaries in Mulanje have experienced improved economic status, with around 17,000 beneficiaries moving from low-income to middle-income status.
The government continues to work on enhancing the E-Payment system to better serve its beneficiaries.
