25 Mar 2014

With effect from April 1, minors under the age of 16 will no longer pay the same price for an e-passport as adults.

The President, Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, announced this at a kgotla meeting in Satau in Chobe District on Monday, March 24.

This came after the chairperson of Satau’s Village Development Committee, Mr Bernard Museke made a plea to the President to reduce the price for minors as their passports lasted for five years, which was half the expiration time for adult passports.

This meant that e-passports would now cost P130 for minors. In other issues, Mr Museke complained about lack of a court clerk in their kgotla. “We also do not have a kgosi since Kgosi Shamukuni passed on last year,” he said, adding that the village neither had an agriculture demonstrator nor a veterinary officer.

Mr Museke also complained about the village health post, saying it needed to be upgraded since the village had grown. In response, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi explained that an agriculture demonstrator and veterinary officer were stationed at the neighbouring Parakarungu, from where they also served Satau.

“Transport has also been a problem, but we have so far secured four vehicles for Kasane. We are just waiting for drivers,” he explained.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele responded to complaints about lack of a court clerk and kgosi by saying that the time had come for the people to elect their own kgosi now that the stage of mourning had passed.

He also noted that court clerks refused to be transferred to remote areas. “Even the officer who was posted here did not last long, but we will ensure that an officer is appointed at least by the time a kgosi is elected,” he said.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho acknowledged that the clinic needed to be upgraded and that funds permitting, it would be done.

In the same vein, he noted that Kasane did not need a new hospital, but the existing facility needed to be maintained and he re-assured residents that it would be attended to this year.

Concerning the residents’ plea for a senior school or a unified one, it was reported that a task force had already made assessment report, which was to be handed to the minister responsible.

While in Kachikau, the President donated 20 chairs for the kgotla, shirts, blankets and Bibles. He emphasised that people should be taught the word of God. Ends