24 Aug 2015

Batswana have been urged to take care of their passports at all times.

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu advised residents of Sowa Town at a kgotla meeting recently that the replacement process could take up to a year.

The process, he said, included proving beyond reasonable doubt through a police statement which would be sent to his office.

Mr Batshu explained that if one lost their passport without valid reasons, such a person would have to stay for 12 months before their passport could be replaced. 

He added that one could also  be charged P1 000 plus the P260 fee for the passport if there were pressing circumstances which needed such a person to have a passport replaced before the waiting period of 12 months.  

Mr Batshu further noted that even if there were valid reasons regarding the loss such as proof that it was not because of the owners negligence, there could be a waiver for the waiting period or either the charge, but still there would be time taken as statements have to reach his office at the ministry, and that the standard charge still applies for the application. 

“It is thus important for one to always know the whereabouts of his or her passport,” he stressed. 

On other issues, minister Batshu advised parents to give their children names they would not want to change as that also has delays since it was a process that takes time. 

He explained that to change a name, the applicant has to fill forms at the Civil and National Registration offices and that the application would be sent to the ministry for the new name to be published in the government gazette so that if there was anyone who was against such a change, they could come forth and put their reasons.

“This is a process that takes no prescribed period. That is why it is important for parents to think about it very well before taking such a decision,” he advised 

He also urged parents not to just give their children names which could be an embarrassment to the children as they grow up and understand the meaning of such names.   

Meanwhile, residents of Sowa Town informed the minister that the registration of biological fathers’ names on birth certificates of children despite not being married to their mothers has its consequences.

They said it has led to breaking-ups of families if such a father was either a parent to other children somewhere else. 

One, Mr Boikobo Mooka said it was important for the ministry to consider making other consultations with the people and revise the current arrangement of registration of fathers’ names on birth certificates.

In response, Mr Batshu said they would look into the advice, but added that they have received different feedbacks regarding the issue. Ends