05 Oct 2020

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi has called on Batswana to continue praying for God’s intervention in HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.

Speaking at the closing of Month of Prayer in Kasane on Sunday, Minister Mmusi said previously an increase in COVID-19 cases was recorded at the borders but lately there was a rise in local community transmissions.

He said Batswana should not only pray but also share messages on how to keep transmission of both HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 at bay.Minister Mmusi said other issues of concern were road accidents and Gender Based Violence (GBV), noting that statistics indicated that Botswana was in the top two after South Africa in rape cases.

He added that taking into consideration the small population of Botswana compared to South Africa, it relatively meant Botswana was at the top.He urged parents to protect children and desist from concealing wrongdoing to protect the image of the family.

Minister Mmusi said multiple concurrent partnerships and alcohol abuse contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Another area that needed attention, he said was Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), noting that a 2016 research had revealed that they accounted for 46 per cent of deaths in the country.

Regarding the Month of Prayer, the minister commended Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Programme (BOCAIP) and other Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) for ensuring that the activities of the month came to pass despite COVID-19.

He pleaded with Batswana to continue adhering to COVID-19 protocols and thanked them for supporting government in the fight against the pandemic.

For her part, the minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Ms Annah Mokgethi implored FBOs, dikgosi and other community leaders to unite in curbing GBV.How the boy child was raised encouraged GBV as they are given toy guns and that promotes violence in them from a young age, she added.She said some churches reserve leadership positions for men only; a thing that she said portrayed women as of low status in the society. ends