Mohale's Hoek — Disaster Management Authority's (DMA) District Disaster Officer Mrs. 'Mamoea Rakolobe says some villagers in various communities have lost interest in attending public gatherings where registrations are being conducted reasoning they already know that they would be left out.

Mrs. Rakolobe stated this in an interview with the Agency following the completion of Anticipatory Action (AA) exercise in various community councils, by pointing out that the objective of the exercise is to identify vulnerable households which might be negatively impacted by predicted El Nino, due to their existing living conditions.

She pointed out that in collaboration with the local authorities, DMA's office identified households in four categories namely, ultra poor, poor, middle and better- off, noting that 1886 households from 4 Community Councils are expected to be assisted with cash for a period of 3 months, though the latter was not certain about the exact amount to be allocated for each household.

On the other hand, Khoelenya Community Council Secretary Mrs. 'Mampeche Nthulenyane asserted that  targeting process has been carried out successfully, however emphasized that it is not everyone who would benefit since it is targeting the most vulnerable households, and indicated that the initiative is aimed at assisting communities prepare on time, after a hazard has been triggered.

Furthermore, Urban Council, Councillor Mr. Shai Mokaloba noted that the process of identifying beneficiaries has been conducted at Ha-Mapotsane Electoral Division (ED), as a mid-point between Mesitsaneng, Ha-Tlali and Ha-'Mapotsane, however voiced out a concern about the Chief of Mesitsaneng Kahlolo Mohale, who has shown discontent regarding such initiatives being convened at Ha-'Mapotsane, claiming the distance poses an accessibility barrier for the elderly under his stewardship.

When approached to comment on the allegations, Chief Mohale acknowledged that villagers under his leadership attended in discouraging figures because the message got to him on the day he was attending a funeral far from the village, and was encountering mobile phones network challenge.

Nonetheless, the latter pointed out he did not like being summoned to his counterpart's territory since he is a gazetted Chief, citing he previously found himself at loggerheads with one Chief from another village, due to the gathering that was convened at the latter's territory.

The Anticipatory Action (AA) is conducted after receiving a predicted hazardous event, utilizing reliable forecast to safeguard lives and livelihoods before a crisis fully unfolds, and Community Councils which will benefit are Khoelenya, Siloe, Mashaleng and Urban Council respectively.