Among the causes of social problems recorded are cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), relationship issues, defilement, rape, child neglect, and incest among others.
The council chairperson said they have recorded a total number of 161 of which 59 have been closed.
“Such cases are mostly child-related, an alarming number being defilement at 22, rape at 16, child custody at 10, neglect at 12, denied access to a child at four, and physical child abuse at three as at the end of May 2022, to mention a few. Council continues to sensitise communities on the need to protect children from all forms of abuse as well as the importance of social cohesion, and it is through the Child Protection Committees that this can be realised,” he said.
He said stakeholders are encouraged to actively participate in these committees as they have proven vital in managing child-related issues.
Meanwhile, the Gaborone City Council (GCC) also continues to receive reports on various social cases; some referred to courts of law (High Court and Magistrate's Court), the Botswana Police Service, and walk-ins.
“Majority of cases reported during the period entail the following on a monthly average; defilement (11 cases), rape (11 cases), and child neglect (14). Council will continue sensitising the community on policies and Acts through the Facebook page, Kgotla meetings, workshops and seminars as interventions on the increasing welfare cases. It is my wish as a man figure to join other stakeholders to fight GBV in all its forms. It is high time we look at rebuilding the boy-child to become a better man,” Austin Abraham, GCC Mayor told councillors at a full council meeting last week.
