Africa-Press – Botswana. There is need to establish the root cause of egregious acts of gender based violence (GBV) so that contributing factors can be uprooted.
This was said by Batawana regent, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi during a GBV campaign organised by the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Maun recently.
She blamed the sale of libido-boosting illegal traditional concoctions for fueling GBV as some people overdosed and ended up committing rape.
Minister’s Fraternal chairperson Prophet Thato Elias lamented that GBV had found its way into the church through religious leaders who promised women blessings in exchange for sexual favours.
He said there were cases where pastors defiled children then bought the parents’ silence with gifts.
Pastor Elias stated that societal pressure to chase after material things contributed to GBV because many people put themselves in unfavourable situations for financial and material gain.
He called on the church to pray for Botswana to seek divine intervention to eliminate GBV.
“Our country used to be free of GBV but nowadays we hear sad stories of women raped and killed everyday and it has destroyed the beautiful name of our country,” he said.
Acting head of DPP – Maun, Ms Chipo Bulawa said last year the office registered 259 cases of rape, 142 defilement, 104 threat to kill, 160 murder and 38 of grievous bodily harm.
She said cases were received from as far as Seronga, Gumare, Sepopa, Shakawe, Etsha and Maun and surrounding villages.
Ms Bulawa said while GBV mostly affected women and children, there were cases where men were victims.
She said it was common practice in Ngamiland for families to shield abusers, especially when they had violated children.
Ms Bulawa also raised concern about victims who dropped cases after being promised money by their abusers.
She urged Batswana to drink responsibly and always be clear-headed even when having fun to avoid finding themselves in vulnerable positions.
North West District acting commissioner, Mr Boammaaruri Otlhogile encouraged men to step up and report GBV instead of bottling it up so that they could get proper assistance.
On another issue, he called on couples to maintain the truth to avoid conflicts that were fueled by lack of sincerity in marriages.
Mr Otlhogile said many times after a misunderstanding, couples sought mediation but concealed some facts about the cause of the conflict.
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