06 Nov 2017

Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu has allayed concerns by Matsiloje residents of unsatisfactory services they receive from offices of nationality and immigration.

Mr Batshu assured residents that it was the responsibility of officials to thoroughly scrutinise all the applications brought to their offices as issues of immigration and citizenship were sensitive.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Matsiloje on November 3, he explained that Batswana should understand that there was a citizenship committee, responsible for scrutinising all applications and making recommendations on who should be granted citizenship.

Mr Batshu also stated that issues of immigration, citizenship and national registration required applicants to provide evidence and relevant documents as failure to do so would result in people not acquiring the necessary documents.

Mr Batshu encouraged officials under his ministry to assist customers diligently adding that how officials were perceived reflected on the entire ministry.

For his part, Member of Parliament for Tati East Mr Samson Guma said residents faced problems of elephants and illegal immigrants, hence the need for more police officers in the village to tackle the issues.

A resident of Matsiloje, Ms Regina Kgotla said her two sons had been going back and forth between offices at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship without getting relevant assistance.

She noted that the officers continued to demand more documents.

The area councillor, Ms Flora Mpetsane, said it was crucial for individuals to provide officials with the right documents because providing false information was punishable under the law.

She however implored officials to improve on their services and be patient with customers. ENDS