New anti-AIDS policy is a double-edged sword

Mmegi Editor | Thursday October 31, 2013 15:51

In the strategy, the police, immigration and the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) will engage in joint operations to rid the streets of homosexual prostitutes and prostitutes. Foreigners with the sexual orientation will be deported immediately, while locals will be fined and monitored thereafter.

Although there were mixed reactions to news of strategy, it ought to be known that the policy may have loopholes for abuse, as it leaves many questions unanswered. The nation needs answers as to who determines what a homosexual prostitute is before people are punished. It is the responsibility of the architects of this policy to explain what kind of behaviour constitutes prostitution, since, even the police have admitted in many interactions with the public that it is difficult to prove the crime in a court of law.

We are worried that while the ministry may be eager and anxious to curb future infections, which is understandable, there are those who may take advantage of the policy to target their rivals or creditors. For instance, it is common knowledge that there are people who employ foreigners with full knowledge that such foreigners do not possess work permits. When pay day comes, these people call the police to arrest and deport the poor foreigners.

We have also heard of public officers who use their positions to settle scores with their rivals and former classmates. We have had enough of presidential deportations over the past four years, which have exceeded 2,000.

We urge everybody to be open-minded when supporting or opposing the policy, as it is a two-edged sword. Our memories are still fresh of the relocation of Basarwa from the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR) under false claims that they were being moved closer to basic social amenities. As you read this, there are mining activities taking place in the CKGR, despite earlier denials by the government.

Another example of government dishonesty is the introduction of school fees a few years ago, when we were told no one would be chased from the classroom for defaulting. But these days, it is common for learners to be sent home for non-payment of school fees. The warning is that some government assurances are hollow and one day, people will be jailed for their sexual orientation. It is just a matter of time.

                                     Today’s thought

    “The internal effects of a mutable policy poisons the blessings of liberty itself”.

 

                                             James Madison