Delay in drought relief for North West

A slip of the finger has caused a delay in drought relief payment to North West farmers, Beeld newspaper reported on Saturday.

The National Treasury this week paid R4.6 million instead of R43.6m

into the provincial treasury's account, provincial agriculture spokesman Bonolo Mohlakoana said.

He said the mistake would hopefully be corrected next week.

Agri North West deputy manager Naude Pienaar told the newspaper the mistake showed that the government was not serious about helping drought-hit farmers.

"This [happened] while President Jacob Zuma yesterday [Friday] promised drought relief of R100 million to Namibia," said Pienaar.

The North West was declared a drought-stricken area in September. The province requested help of R400m, but the government only approved

R43.6m, said Mohlakoana.