23 Apr 2014

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi has told his constituents that Parliament has passed the Immigration Bill, whose aim was to amend the Immigration Act.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Block 7 on April 22, Mr Mmolotsi said the Immigration Act initially empowered only the President to declare people as prohibited immigrants and deport them. Tthe amendment sought to give the same powers to the minister.

Mr Mmolotsi said he did not agree with the amendment as he feit that a board, instead of a minister, should have powers to decide on a deportation.

“Having a board to decide over deportations will help avert conflicts of interest. Where only an individual has such powers, their judgement would be compromised by conflict of interest,” he said.

On other issues, Mr Mmolotsi informed residents of Francistown South that government had introduced emergency medical services (EMS), which were equipped with ambulances, paramedics and nurses to attend to all emergencies that occurred outside health facilities.

He also appealed to those who did not register for the general elections to take advantage of the supplementary registration slated for May 1-18. “It is only through a vote that you as electorates can decide who will govern this country for the betterment of your lives,” he said.

One of the residents, Mr Gift Keaitse, complained that developments were not evenly distributed in the country. He alleged that most of the developments in the country were centered around Serowe, Palapye and Mahalapye. 

He added that if there was even distribution of developments, one of the hospitals would have been in Nata to reduce traveling distances of patients from the Chobe areas.

Mr Freedom Mpowane asked the MP if it was possible for the city council to avail some of the parks and open spaces to the Ward Development Committees (WDC) for income generating projects. Another resident, Ms Obakeng Gwakuba, applauded Mr Mmolotsi for advocating for prepaid electricity meters and appealed to him to also advocate for prepaid water meters.

For his part, Mr Thebeetsile Lesole accused the company that has been engaged to construct the Tonota/Francistown road of sidelining locals and preferring to hire foreign nationals when recruiting. When responding to the residents’ comments, Mr Mmolotsi explained that all developments in Botswana are done according to the National Development Plans (NDPs) and after thorough consultations with all Batswana.

He urged residents to always suggest their development ideas to the VDC’s so that they filter through to government. Mr Mmolotsi also revealed that a 100 bed primary hospital that was planned for Francistown was suspended because of the economic recession.

“With regards to the use of open spaces and parks, I urge the WDC to submit a proposal to the city council.

You must come up with a convincing proposal because the council views WDCs as partners in developments,” he said. He also revealed that prepaid water meters will be introduced in a few months’ time, and further promised to visit the contractor of the Tonota/Francistown road to find out their recruitment procedures. ENDS