The Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Mr. Thabo Mofosi says, delay to pay 'Hotpot Catering' was due to no order enabling payment processes.

He said this in response to question 564, where he was asked in the National Assembly on Thursday, if he is aware that catering companies including Hotpot which provided services to the Ministry have to-date not been paid.

He added after rendering services to the Ministry in 2023-2024, he established that it happened as a result of agreement between the company and Ministry's officers yet there was no order.

Therefore, he assured the House the said company will be paid soon as he has established relevant papers have now been submitted with purchase payment number being 11613.

In another story, the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Mr. Letsema Adonts'i stated he is aware of land degradation at Makhemeng and Ha Ratoeba and have undertaken an assessment in these areas, saying implementation plan to address the challenge include planting indigenous trees at these areas as well as building retaining traps.

He was responding to question 590, where he was asked if he is aware that arable land and grazing land at the villages of Makhemeng and Ha Ratoeba is eroded by proliferation of gullies or dongas and how soon this will be attended to.

Other questions related to the Ministry of Education and Training and those of Local Government amongst others. Some questions were postponed for various reasons.

In conclusion, Mr. Mootsi Lehata stood with a point of order stating it is unacceptable and against procurement procedures for the Ministry of Agriculture to have accessed services from the said company without an order.

However, the Deputy Speaker on behalf of the Minister clarified this, saying she strongly believes the answer provided by the Minister is such that it allows for processes to be done first before payments in rectification hence delay in payments.