Children�s Act under review
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday May 31, 2017 16:12
The new committee consists of government employees from Defence, Justice and Security, Local Government and Rural Developmen,t amongst others.
This came after specially elected MP Bogolo Kenewendo asked the accounting officer for Local Government and Rural Development, Molefi Keaja why Children’s Act has not been implemented.
“Our Ministry has realised that what has been done on Children’s Act was not adequate. The Ministry is also trying to revive district child committees in the districts,” Keaja said.
However PAC chairperson Abram Kesupile countered: “I do not think you have answered Kenewendo’s question. Why has the Children’s Act not been implemented and what would your Ministry do to ensure that it is implemented.
How long will it take to revive those district child committees?”
Keaja said he believes that the Act would be implemented after it has been reviewed and other things that are missing added to it.
He said the committee was established last year August to look into Children’s Act and child trafficking.
MP Kenewendo asked: “What would your Ministry do to ensure that Botswana Police Service recognise it? ”
In response Keaja said: “All stakeholders, who include the police are part of the new committee. If Cabinet approves the new Act and Parliament follows suit, then it will be implemented by all”.
On the other issue, MP for Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Shawn Ntlhaile wanted to know when would the Ministry build houses for people in that area who are in need of shelter.
“Assessment for Mabutsane area was done in 2015. The report has found out that needy people in that area are covered by social programme under food basket. Mabutsane is the third village with need.
The leading one is Okavango followed by Kweneng West.
The report shows that 200 people need to be provided with houses, which cost P130,000. We haven’t built them because of lack of funds,” Keaja said.
The special elected MP, Reggie Reatile also wanted to know why the Basarwa of Palamaukuwe ward in Serowe are not assisted with programmes of the needy people.
“Why are we forcing them to relocate somewhere when they had opted to stay in Serowe?” Reatile wondered.
Keaja said the issue of Palamaukuwe will be re-visited.