04 Dec 2018

Government has no plans to review the number required for registration of churches to 20 people as is the case with other societies.

Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Mr Tshenolo Mabeo explained on December 3 that there had been no implementation bottlenecks since the required number for churches registration was increased to 150 people more than three years ago.

“At the time of review of the Societies Act prior to 2015, there was a general concern on the proliferation of churches in Botswana, hence the decision to increase the minimum number of registration of religious organisations to 150,” said the minister, in response to a parliamentary question.

Mr Mabeo said 138 religious organisations had been registered since November 2016, compared to 401 between November 2014 and November 2016.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister if there were plans to review the required number back to 20. ENDS