19 Jun 2022

The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs is requesting all existing societies, including faith-based organisations to re-register online under Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA). 

A press release from the ministry indicates that the re-registration exercise is purely for automation purposes but not to disadvantage the existing societies. 

It further says contrary to misinformation circulating in the public domain regarding the recent amendment of the Societies Act of 2022, the amendments were made in consultation with different stakeholders including Faith-based umbrella organisations. 

“This amendment is meant to strengthen compliance with Botswana anti-money laundering regime and protect societies against possible abuse,” says the release. 

It further says the amendment of Societies Act of 2022, stipulates that all societies should register with the Registrar of Societies for monitoring and supervision. 

The release says that registration is intended to minimise risk of commission of financial offences. 

It says the Registrar may refuse to register a society which is or its office bearers are subject to sanctions, embargos or similar measures issued by the United Nations Security Council. 

The release further says that there will be introduction of qualification criteria for office bears of a society to ensure that such office bearers are fit and proper persons, therefore minimising the risk of commission of financial offences within the societies. 

There will be cancellation of registration of a society where the society has committed a financial offence such as Human Trafficking, Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, it says. 

It further says, there will be an increase of penalties for offences under the Societies Act to provide for effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for violations. Ends