07 Aug 2018

Member of Parliament for Lentsweletau-Lephephe, Mr Liekat Kablay has told the residents that government is concerned about the pervasive use of illicit drugs in the country.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Lephepe, Mr Kablay said this has led Parliament to introducing stiffer penalties for both the traders and users of the drugs.

People who sell drugs are to be fined up to P1 million or 25 years imprisonment, he said.

For the users, the MP said they face a 15-year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding P250 000.

He said drugs had tarnished many dreams as youths have dropped out schools while elders have left work due to addiction.

MP Kablay also said Trusts would also be regulated by law as often funds and resources were not used for intended purposes hence they would now be audited.

Further, he said the Trusts’ constitutions should be approved by the Master of the High Court.

MP Kablay also briefed the residents about the cyber law, saying it was  a crime to share pornographic materials in the cyber space, adding that it could attract a penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine of P20 000.

The government is also concerned about lack of employment, especially among the youth, hence the Youth Development Fund (YDF) is to be restructured as P2 million allocated to each constituency has proved to be inadequate.

Further, he said some industries and businesses such as cattle patrolling along highways have been reserved for youths.

Meanwhile, residents of Lephephe had to watch as their kgotla meeting turned into a political battleground, where Mr Kablay appealed to the residents to give him another opportunity to represent them in next year’s general elections.

To do this, he has to pass through a test during the BDP primary elections, dubbed Bulela Ditswe slated for August 11.

MP Kablay took a jibe at his party, saying it practiced tribalism and hence working against him.

“They say I am not your son. I am your son and don’t forget me, I am responsible,” he said. His rival in the primaries, Mr Kgobolo Lekuntwane criticised him for addressing political issues in a kgotla, saying this was against the law.

Mr Lekuntwane said the MP has in several kgotla meetings appealed for votes, saying he was using the wrong platform. ENDS