Fears that drug dealers may target children’s inheritance

Some children and beneficiaries of the Guardian Fund, which is managed by the Registrar of High Court on their behalf before they turn 18, may become targets of drug dealers upon receiving their funds.

Recently, Specially Elected Member of Parliament, Dr Unity Dow expressed worry that such children receive their funds without prior financial management training.

She was asking Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse in Parliament whether he is aware that upon turning 18, a person emerging out of minority will have his or her account credited with monies without any prior training and mentoring from childhood to adulthood.

In response, Autlwetse said he has observed that such young people come into contact with these monies prior to any training or guidance on financial matters.

Further to that, there is no legislation or policy in place which facilitates neither the involvement of his Ministry nor provision of any guidance on the use of such funds.

“I acknowledge that giving such funds to beneficiaries who have not been trained on financial management may expose them to other social ills, including being targeted by drug dealers,” Autlwetse said.

Autlweetse concurred that on account of emerging challenges faced by children and young adults who have access to money, it has become necessary that training on financial literacy be provided.

“My Ministry has started work on the development and review of Social Protection Policies including the Family Policy wherein matters such as this one are to be addressed.”