NW agriculture department slams false learnership claims

The North West department of agriculture and rural development has expressed deep concern over an audio recording circulating on social media. The department stated that the recording falsely claims that the department has recruited individuals from other provinces to participate in a learnership programme at Kgora Farmers Training Centre and is paying them.

“The department categorically rejects and distances itself from these allegations. The contents of the audio are false, misleading, and deliberately intended to create confusion and mistrust among the members of the public. At no stage has the department engaged in the practices alleged in the recording,” the department said in a statement.

“The department wishes to reassure the public that all its programmes, including learnerships and skills development initiatives, are implemented in strict compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and legislative frameworks. Recruitment processes are transparent and guided by the principles of fairness, equity, and accountability.”

Furthermore, it strongly urged members of the public to refrain from sharing or circulating unverified and misleading information.

“The dissemination of false content undermines the integrity of the department and misinforms communities that depend on accurate and credible communication regarding government programmes and opportunities,” the department added.

Meanwhile, North West agriculture MEC Madoda Sambatha said the circulating message about Kgora was not true. “There can never be a provincial department that recruits learners from another province for a learnership. It is not possible, and that will not be approved by anyone.

“These programmes are aimed at the young unemployed people of the province, and the person who is circulating this message knows very well that this is misleading.”