29 Apr 2021

Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi has urged Block Two residents to partake in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Block 2 on Tuesday, Mr Mmolotsi said it was of paramount importance that the communities fully took the COVID-19 vaccine to curve the spread of the virus.

He said refusing to take the vaccine and choosing to believe the circulating myths would increase the number of deaths of their loved ones as well as new infections.

The MP also informed the residents about the current situation in India concerning COVID-19, where the new infections had become uncontrollable as the country experienced head immunity.

Verifying the reliance of the vaccine, he mentioned that upon taking the vaccine, he felt more protected and encouraged everyone to do the same.

Even though the vaccine does not cure the virus, it helps prevent its fatality and save lives, he said.

Mr Mmolotsi also urged the targeted groups, which are the elderly, to be proactive in taking the vaccine.

However, the ward development committee chairperson, Ms Joyce Ernest said, the vaccination spot was located far from residences, making it difficult for the elderly to reach it.

She said the elderly were mainly targeted as they were more vulnerable to the life threatening virus, hence the need to have a vaccination centre nearer.

The Block 9 Masego Clinic vaccination place caters for all Francistown South residents.

He said Greater Francistown was given only 2 900 vaccines to distribute among its centres such as Tonota, Monarch and Mathangwane.

MP Mmolotsi was hopeful that more vaccination spots would be established as additional 400 000 vaccines would soon be distributed.

Another issue of concern, he said, was the gender-based violence (GBV) cases that continued to be reported in the community.

Kgosi Pogisego Mosarwe raised a concern that there were incidences of defilement and incest,  but people failed to come forth to report such crimes.

He said they rather preferred to protect the culprits, who were often family members.

Mr Mosarwe urged the community to work together and avoid situations such as cohabitation that seemed to be the root of misunderstandings between women and men.

He called on residents to create a conducive environment for the children and ensure that there were not violated and abused when they were still young. ENDS