Pastors threaten to expose rot at Registrar of Societies
Government recently tightened the leash on church laws
Newly-formed Association of Pastors Botswana is expected to hold a tell-all press conference about the alleged ‘corrupt and shady dealings’ of the Registrar of Societies this week in Gaborone.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun this week, association representative Ketshedile Modise vowed that they will not be holding anything back.
“The church will be coming out of the shadows to withstand and speak out on the unscrupulous and inequitable dealings of the Registrar of Societies on pertinent issues of church registration requirements inconsistencies,” Modise said.
He added that they are experiencing stiffened draconian regulations. He alleged that there are loose ends that clearly expose foul play to suppress the Pentecostal or what is popularly referred to as fire churches in Botswana.
“The church is fully evidenced to reveal the looming corrupt practices and ready to take the legal route in an effort to back their plight for fairness and just laws,” he said.
“We will leave the Registrar of Societies with detailed in-house introspection, we are poised to confront them on visible red flags which may implicate some of their employees,” Modise said.
Registrar of Societies spokesperson Caroline Bogale Jaiyebo said she was in the dark about the planned pastors tell all press conference. “I am not aware that there are some unhappy pastors,” she said. In June this year, Bogale announced that all churches must register under the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA). “The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs is aware of 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. The amendment is meant to strengthen compliance with Botswana anti-money laundering regime and protect societies against possible abuse,” she had said.
Some of the amendments included removing exemptions, so that all societies register with the Registrar of Societies for monitoring and supervision to minimise risk of commission of financial offences.
Refusal to register, she said was subject to sanctions. Penalties have been increased under the Societies Act to provide for effective and proportionate sanctions for violations obligations.
Moreover, government demands that office bearers have to be qualified and fit for the job.