Ministry warns against publishing of 8 year-old’s photos

The Ministry of Local Government will work with the Police to unmask and make examples of perpetrators that expose children to harm through their social media posts.

The threat was issued by the ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Mamiki Kamanakao who oversees social development and children’s issues following the widespread use of pictures of the eight-year-old Motswana minor who survived a fatal crash in South Africa. Last week Thursday, a bus carrying members of the Botswana St Engenas Zion Christian Church (ZCC) who were headed to Moria for Easter Pilgrimage plunged off Mmamatlakala bridge in South Africa. The bus was carrying 46 passengers including the driver. Forty-five (45) died while the eightyear-old was the only survivor. She is currently stable and receiving medical attention after sustaining injuries on her head, arms and hands. Airing her concerns this week, Kamanakao said it was unfortunate to have the minor’s picture circulating on social media, saying people should desist from exposing minors in the media as it is against the law. “While investigations are still ongoing, we already see reports on social media, some untruthful. I wish to inform Batswana that a person can be sentenced to five years in prison for publishing pictures of minors who have been involved in whatever situation. “As the ministry of Local Government and having the responsibility to protect children’s rights, I wish to remind parents that when children face difficult situations and we take the matter to newspapers or the media, they will have a painful reminder in the future that will never get erased from their minds,” Kamanakao said. She added that while efforts are being made to counsel families affected by the tragedy, salt is being rubbed on the already open wounds. “There is what is called longlife impact, if a child was raped, it will be painful for them to grow and find a reminder on social media of what they once went through.” Kamanakao shared that what Batswana are doing is painful to the child and it is time the ministry tightens the leash in protecting minors. They will start working with the police to unmask perpetrators and make an example out of them. The deputy PS said people only learn after action is taken.

Meanwhile, government is currently doing all it can to provide counselling to all the affected families. The ministry has dispatched a team that is going to families of the deceased to offer support and assist with burial arrangements. Government is committed to buying coffins for the deceased in instances where families cannot afford to so. Currently, South African authorities are busy identifying bodies and once the process is complete, bodies will be repatriated back to Botswana.