Loan sharks ordered to return bo-Omang

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday July 17, 2014 10:53

 

The warning comes as the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA) battles to restrain illegal cash loans who are believed to be behind unfair lending practices, which include the retention of identity cards.

Yesterday, Labour and Home Affairs spokesperson, Irene Edward said government was equally concerned about instances in which borrowers were dispossessed of their Omang and other critical documents in exchange for loans.

“Those dispossessed of their cards have found themselves unable to access other services,” she said.

“The practise is unlawful and any person who dispossesses another of their identity card is guilty of an offence.” According to Edward, culprits are fined P500, jailed for six months or both when found guilty. Edward said the Ministry was aware that some Batswana are walking without their Omang due to the illegal practice by operations of cash loans.

“We have to be pro-active as a Ministry on these issues,” she said.

“We are warning all those concerned to refrain from such practices and we also encourage Batswana to report such cases to the relevant authorities to ensure that their cards are preserved and safely kept.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry says it has received reports during its Kgotla meetings indicating that some children are confiscating their parents identity cards to prevent them from voting for political parties that they (the children) do not support.

Edward said the Ministry was concerned that the children’s actions were denying parents their right to vote.

“We urge children to desist from confiscating their parents Omang as all Batswana have the right to make their own choice in voting,” she said.