Deft hand needed in Societies Bill debate :: Mmegi Online

In essence, the amendments seek to increase the number of persons required to register a religious organisation from 10 to 250, while also increasing fines for non-compliance with certain provisions by up to 50 times in some instances.

Offences include operating an illegal society, soliciting collections while operating an illegal society and allowing an illegal society to operate on your premises. In addition, foreigners registering religious organisations in Botswana will be required to prove that at least two thirds of their membership are Batswana and resident in Botswana.

The State says the amendments are primarily to update the 43 year old law in recognition of the larger population of religious organisations as well as the sinister ‘mushrooming’ of churches led by charismatic foreign leaders, which in some cases are suspected to be swindling Batswana.

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