06 Feb 2017

MP for Gaborone South, Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi, has told his constituents that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is working on specifications for the electronic voting machine (EVM) for incorporation of paper trail function.

Mr Molatlhegi addressed a kgotla meeting in Bontleng on Saturday where he explained to residents that Parliament passed a bill last year to amend the IEC Act to allow for an EVM.

He saidt the public including Parliament were divided on the amendment with some believing that the device would be manipulated while others opined that it would speed up the elections process.

The MP stated that many countries including the neighbouring Namibia were using the machine.

On other issues, Mr Molatlhegi said the latest PSLE and JC results showed that the pass rate continued to decline.

He said the results should challenge parents to partake in their children’s education and not leave everything to teachers. The MP said children spent most of the time on social media instead of studying, something that contributed to poor performance.

He further highlighted that instead of using social media as a distraction, children could use it to their benefit by downloading lessons and sharing notes.

Mr Molatlhegi also criticised parents who drank alcohol in front of their children saying that the behavior drew children to drink alcohol believing it was fashionable.

Mr Molatlhegi advised parents to discipline their children instead of spoiling them by giving them everything they demand.

He stated that government had decided to give every constituency P10 million each in the next financial year for developments.

Responding to questions from residents, the MP stated that he was aware of some water clogged roads in Bontleng adding that the P10 million from government would assist.  

Residents had expressed a concern with the draining system in stating that the situation becomes worse when it rains with water flooding households.

He encouraged the youth to join efforts and source out sponsorship from the private sector to build recreational parks.

This was after they complained of lack of recreational facilities in the constituency to keep young people engaged so as to stay away from trouble.

Residents had also raised the issue of high unemployment rate saying many graduates were left jobless though qualified therefore asking government to create employment. ENDS