09 Jan 2025

Francistown West MP, Mr Ignatius Moswaane has emphasised the importance of full birth certificates that bear names of both parents.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in  Tatitown recently, Mr Moswaane urged parents to ensure that fathers’ names were included when registering births. He said such was not just a matter of administrative correctness, but about securing rights and future of a child.

Mr Moswaane, who is also Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, said a birth certificate without a father’s name created challenges that could affect a child’s life, adding that such omissions complicated inheritance issues, making it difficult for children to claim their rightful share of family property.

Furthermore, he said such could also lead to difficulties in establishing paternity, potentially affecting child welfare as well as the father-child relationship.

“All it takes is cooperation between parents and a straightforward process at the civil registration office. We are here to assist and guide families through the necessary steps, ensuring that no child is left behind,” he said.

He said government was actively working on outreach programmes to raise awareness and provide support to those who needed assistance, as part of efforts to strengthen family structures and protect the rights of children.

On other issues, Mr Moswaane highlighted government’s commitment to addressing the nation’s fiscal challenges. He said President Advocate Duma Boko’s administration was working tirelessly to uncover root causes of the country’s fiscal challenges.

“The President’s recent appointment of an independent audit into the nation’s finances is not a mere formality; but a critical step in our pursuit of accountability and transparency. We are working round the clock  to get to the bottom of this issue,” said Mr Moswaane.

He said it was not a simple matter of balancing the books, but required comprehensive investigation into every aspect of government spending and financial management over the past years. He emphasised that the audit would be thorough, leaving no stone unturned.

“We need to understand precisely where the money went, who was responsible for the mismanagement, and what systemic failures allowed this crisis to develop,” he said.

He said such was more than just identifying individuals, but also identifying weaknesses in the system and implementing reforms to prevent a recurrence of similar issues.
He underscored government’s resolve to hold those responsible accountable.

“Let me be clear, those found guilty of misappropriation of funds, corruption, or any form of financial malfeasance will face full force of the law; and no one is above the law. Action will be taken against wrongdoers, regardless of their position or influence,” he warned.

He said commitment to accountability extended beyond criminal prosecution, but also encompassed administrative sanctions and implementation of robust measures to safeguard public funds in the future.

Mr. Moswaane said government’s commitment to transparency and accountability would be closely scrutinised in the months to come, as the nation awaits the findings of the audit and the subsequent actions taken. ENDS