24 Jan 2022

Foreigners have access to free HIV treatment offered by government,, National Aids Health and Promotion Agency (NAHPA) at North East District, Ms Fiona Lekgetho has said.

Speaking during a series of kgotla meetings addressed by the MP for Tati West, Mr Simon Moabi she explained that free HIV services extended to foreigners included HIV testing, regardless of whether they entered the country illegally or not.

He said the decision was  meant to support government’s effort  in combating the scourge. She further informed the residents that government through NAHPA and the US government through PEPFAR was implementing the faith and communities initiative in the country.

The initiative, she said, was influenced by faith and community leaders. These included pastors, traditional doctors, religious leaders and other village leaders.

Ms Lekgetho said the goal was to increase the proportion of men and children living with HIV to access treatment.

She explained that the reasons to engage faith communities was to mobilise men in different church forums such as seminars, and inter-church sports tournament, amongst others. Ms Lekgetho appealed to the residents to report any case of gender based violence to the relevant authorities.

Kgosi Makhau Hloma of Botalaote told the meeting that the village has been without a substantive leader for the past year. He also said the nearby village of Toteng also lost its headman of arbitration in recent years and was taking too long to make replacement.

He also complained of dilapidated kgotla shelter and requested for speed humps to  prevent vehicles speeding in the village.

Village Development Committee (VDC), chairperson, Ms Tsholo Motshabi requested for change rooms at the local football pitch.

Ms Motshabi further requested that their kgotla be upgraded from headman of arbitration to headman of record. There was also an outcry to post a court clerk as well as police officers at the village. The issue to increase allowances for the Ipelegeng

Programme was also raised by the chairperson.

Ms Motshabi thanked government for COVID-19 vaccination, which she said has saved lives.

MP Moabi briefed the residents on the constitutional amendment review and appealed for their full participation.  ENDS