Regulation of architects kicks in

Isaac Pinielo | Wednesday June 1, 2016 14:40

Goitsemodimo Manowe, executive chairman of the council told Mmegi Business that the intention is to protect the integrity of the profession and regulate the activities and conduct of professionals in the public’s interest.

“At least 75 architectural professionals in various categories have been registered so far, enough to enforce legislation,” he said.

Manowe noted that registration, which commenced last November, is an ongoing process and that people are applying in good numbers.

Recently, he said, over 220 new applications have been received, adding that so far, only eight applications have been rejected for various reasons in accordance with the act and its regulations. “As with most regulatory processes, people delay to regularise and only rush towards the deadline to normalise their status. The council is inundated with late applications,” he said.

To qualify for registration, a person should have a professional degree in architecture or such equivalent qualification as may be prescribed by the council. The person should have performed the work of an architect under the direction and control of, and in the same office as an architect, for such period as may be prescribed by the council, and has passed an examination prescribed by the council or any examination recognised by the council as being equivalent to one so prescribed.

According to Manowe, the initial period of registration was extended by one month to facilitate registration of a reasonable number of professionals so as not to paralyse the construction industry. Asked if there have been incidents of people violating the act, he said there can be no violation before the act is enforced.

From the enforcement date, he explained that the council will be monitoring the situation and will take action against those who violate provisions of the act. “Fines and penalties are considerable. Violators can face imprisonment in terms of section 49 of the act. This applies also to an individual or entity that knowingly engages a person who is not registered to perform the work of an architect as defined in the act,” Manowe said.

He further said details of violations can only be known, recorded or investigated following the enforcement date.

With the commencement of enforcement, the act prohibits anyone who is not registered, to practise, advertise, pretend or hold himself or herself out to be an architect, architectural technologist or architectural draftsperson, or lead members of the public to assume that he or she is an architect. Foreign nationals are also expected to apply and obtain registration, before they can be engaged on a project in Botswana, irrespective of their professional standing in a foreign country. In a notice issued on Monday, the council stated that it will be an offence for one to perform the work of an architect, manage the performance of the work of an architect or procurement of architectural services, while one is not registered with the council or suspended from practice.

Also, it would be an offence to knowingly engage or employ, in the capacity of architect, architectural technologist or architectural draftsperson, a person who is not registered with the council. The council wants submission of drawings for planning and building permission to be signed by a person registered in the category of architect who is in possession of a valid practising certificate.

Drawings being submitted for planning or building permission are also expected to bear the name of the person registered in the category of architect, with the original signature of the said architect.

“Unless otherwise permitted by the council, a certified copy of the practising certificate shall form part of the submittals for planning and building permission,” stated the notice.