26 Mar 2015

Parliament has approved the 150 threshold for registering a religious society as presented by Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu.

The initial suggested number was 250 substituting the number 10, but after extensive debate the minister said he decided to look at the totality of the debate and settled for 150. Legislators, though a vote, then approved the proposed amendments to stand as part of the bill.

Member of Parliament for Mochudi West, Mr Gilbert Mangole said though he applauded efforts by the minister to heed the call to look into the prescribed number, he still had a strong feeling that the substituted number was still outrageous.

He said it was clear from the interaction he had with different stakeholders that they were all in agreement with those who opposed the proposal.

MP for Francistown West, Mr Ignatius Moswaane said he understood efforts made by the minister to curb illicit activities by some religious organisations. He said his only concern was that the proposed amendments were a ‘stray bullet’. Mr Moswaane suggested 50; saying when the house acceded to the minister’s proposal, there was a likelihood that law breakers would be on the rise.

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi was against the proposal explaining that it was likely to discriminate against other religious sects outside Christianity. For his part, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi supported the amendment and said 150 was reasonable.

Meanwhile, some parliamentarians were against Mr Mmolotsi’s suggestion that the memorandum appearing on the bill be substituted for the words 250 with the words 20.  Mr Mmolotsi had also moved that Clause three appearing on the bill be amended by substituting for the words 250 with the words 20.

In his remarks before moving for an amendment, Mr Mmolotsi said his proposal came about after being approached by relevant stakeholders in the religious fraternity. MP for Jwaneng-Mabutsane, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile said 20 was a peaceful number and fair to those who lived in settlements.

Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said Mr Mmolotsi’s proposal was a justifiable number in any free democratic society.  He said if the House was to accede to 150 as proposed by the minister then it acceded to a limitation which was not agreed to in a free and democratic society.

The house also rejected an amendment by Mr Mmolotsi who wanted clause 14 to be amended by substituting for sub-clause (3) the new sub-clause reading, “The chairperson of the council shall be elected by the members of the council from among their number”. ENDS