Ministry uses cinema to raise e-payment awareness among SCTP beneficiaries in Phalombe

The Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare held an interactive audio-visual show through cinema in Phalombe targeting Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) beneficiaries, sensitising them to safeguard their Mpamba PIN cards and codes from fraudsters as the district adopted electronic means of paying the beneficiaries.

Speaking in an interview after recent cinema shows at Mpasa and Nyezelera primary schools, Social Welfare Officer responsible for the Social Cash Transfer Programme in Phalombe, Frackson Chidzalo, said the district adopted e-payment in December 2024 and the office has been sensitising beneficiaries on how and why they should protect their card and code.

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“As a way of increasing awareness, today we are showing them cinema on top of drama performances. We are emphasising safeguarding the PIN card and code and the importance of e-payment as time-saving and convenient among other advantages,” he added.

Chidzalo said since the introduction of e-payment, his office has registered some challenges, among them loss of SIM cards and theft of money, especially among those who entrusted their SIM cards to third parties.

A SCTP beneficiary, Aneti Phiri, commended government for introducing e-payment, saying continued sensitisation on safeguarding the PIN card and code, and the importance of the new payment system, was relevant for better understanding.

Ministry of Gender, Social Welfare and Community Development Spokesperson, Pauline Kaude, said the interactive audio-visual shows are a continuation of awareness to SCTP beneficiaries on the importance of e-payment and safeguarding the PIN code.

Phalombe has 10,450 SCTP beneficiaries, but the target is to enrol 11,099 beneficiaries.