28 Apr 2014

Residents of Ngwaketse West constituency have commended government for waiving the penalty for late registration of identity cards (Omang).

Government recently introduced a waiver for late registration of Omang and birth certificates to be effected in the 2014/15 financial year.

Speaking at a series of kgotla meetings held by area Member of Parliament, Mr Mephato Reatile, the residents welcomed the decision, saying most people were discouraged by the hefty fines from applying for Omang and birth certificates.

Mr Wapula Wakgotla of Itholoke urged government to educate public officers about the new changes to avoid miscommunication. He also appealed to government to assist children whose parents were reluctant or unable to help them obtain Omang cards.

A resident of Keng, Ms Galeboe Waleru, also applauded government for introducing the waiver saying it would encourage a lot of people in the village to obtain identity cards.

“People will now start accessing government services. Many of them have not been able to do so because they did not have Omang cards. This problem will now come to an end,” she said.

For his part, Mr Mokwaledi Simane encouraged government to continuously educate people about the importance of having Omang cards and not only do so during general elections. When responding to his constituents’ comments, Mr Reatile encouraged them to take advantage of the waiver and register for identity cards in large numbers.

He said government introduced the waiver after it became obvious that many people could not obtain Omang due to exorbitant penalty fees. “Go and get your Omang so that you can register for elections in the last phase of the supplementary registration in May. You must register to vote so you can elect your preferred candidates in the coming general elections,” he said.

Mr Reatile further refuted claims that birth certificates could only be collected from a central point, saying such documents were processed electronically and can be obtained from any civil and national registration office.Ends