The Member of Parliament of Francistown West, Mr Ignatius Moswaane has made a clarion call to the leadership of the church to intervene in conflicts arising from marita issues.
Doing so, according to Mr Moswaane, will help curb rising incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) that have dealt a blow to many marriages in Botswana.
Peaceful resolve of GBV will hold marriages together, he said addressing a kgotla meeting at Phase 6 at Francistowns Monarch location on Friday.
He called on spouses to make sure that they satisfy each other to keep instances of abuse at bay.
One of the reasons why people cheat is because they are not satisfied and they end up spending money to buy satisfaction outside the matrimonial home, he said.
Also, MP Moswaane reminded residents of the stiff penalties given to anyone found to be abusive.
He said for instance that if one of the spouses is found to be abusive he or she is liable to a fine of P5 000 and that if further investigations reveal such a charge is false, the complainant will be charged P1 000.
Murderinging a spouse, he said, will attract capital punishment.
Speaking earlier on, Phase 6 Ward Development Committee (WDC) chairperson, Mr Batshegi Kgari complained about defunct streetlights, unemployment of graduates and water leakages occasioned by broken pipes in the area.
He decried the shortage of drugs at health facilities and increasing levels of crime. He proposed for the construction of a shopping complex in the area, saying not only will the facility lessen the long distance residents travel to procure household goods at shops located five kilometres from away, but will create jobs for the residents.
In response, Mr Moswaane said the constituency community project fund would take care of the setting up of a shopping complex in the area.
The mall has the potential towards creating up to 100 jobs and the revenue accrued from leasing out such a facility could be channelled elsewhere to prop up development in Phase 6, he said.
He was of the view that the tower light that has been erected near the Phase 6 graveyard could serve a better purpose if moved closer to homesteads.
He stated also that the regular breakages of pipes as well as the low pressure experienced in homes were due to the fact that the pipes are worn out.
Area councillor, Mr Almando Gopolang refuted claims that there was an element of corruption during the installation of the streetlights.
He assured residents that the city council was doing its best to make sure that the remaining part of Phase 6 will also receive the streetlights.
Source : BOPA
Author : Kagelelo Mankwe
