Kokorwe Leaves After Making History

She is the only MP to have successfully moved a Private Members' Bill that was enacted into law. After a long struggle, the Domestic Violence Bill finally became law on August 15. The bill was tabled by the minister last year before she joined cabinet. She said she conceived the bill a long time ago, but at some stage she could not act because she was appointed an assistant minister. But when she did not make it to cabinet after the 2004 general elections she set about tabling the bill.

The new Domestic Violence Act is aimed at offering protection to people who are abused at home, irrespective of their gender. Part of the law deals with orders. An aggrieved party may make an application in court for an interim or restraining order against the offender.