By: Zethu Gweva
The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality has urged residents not to panic about the expiry of the food vouchers as their validity has been extended until further notice.
This is after residents stood in long queues during extremely cold weather conditions to spend their food vouchers.
According to BCMM Spokesperson Samnkelo Ngwenyo, the metro has reduced the numbers of recipients of social relief vouchers to 200 per day.
“The shopping period has been extended in order to mitigate congestion,” he said.
He added that there has been reported congestions in Mdantsane, King Williams Town and Duncan Village.
One of the recipients from Mndantsane Cwayita Booi said it is cold and it is said that it is easier to contract the virus when it’s cold.
“Other people are not even wearing masks, and some of us have been here since yesterday,” she said.
She added that there is no social distancing and order.
Further, the municipality warned that it will not tolerate any acts of fraud, manipulation and corruption on the distribution of food vouchers, and calls upon residents to report such cases for investigation on its Fraud Hotline – 080 066 8413.