Is internship a source of cheap labour?

Currently, 2,855 interns have been enrolled and attached to different government departments and in the private sector, while 1,234 are recorded to have completed and exited the 24-month programme. During the last parliamentary sitting Francistown South Member of Parliament (MP) Wynter Mmolotsi had asked whether government's mandate to reduce its employees through the early exit scheme would not affect those currently on internship in government departments.

"Won't the government's move to reduce its employees by five percent affect interns, and is government ready to absorb student interns, when it has been said that there is no employment and government departments are over staffed," Mmolotsi asked the minister.

Batshu dismissed the query, saying the reduction would not affect interns, adding that they were trying to engage the private sector to increase its intake of interns. The minister said the programme did not re-admit those who had exited it since there was a pending list of 5,094 applicants waiting to be admitted.

Systems' coach stays put despite uncertainity

Kaeleo said that the team owner, Gabriel Nkgetse has made it clear that he does not want people to leave the team, although he would not bind anyone. "Security Systems will continue to exist and play football, whether they are in the constituency league or the Sunday social games. But I have to be honest, my passion for competitive football has waned after what happened to us and maybe it will be good if I get involved just for fun instead of ambition," the clearly dejected Kaleo said.

Kaleo has also denied reports that the club was negotiating with First Division South side Young Strikers to purchase its franchise."Those are just rumours and who ever said this was not speaking on behalf of the team (Systems).

Tsolamosese residents rail at sub-land board

The angry residents said that even though they have lived in the area for years, they are puzzled that even after a presidential amnesty, the land officials keep on disappointing them. "Even though we do not like being called squatters, we have accepted the presidential amnesty and have agreed to pay the charges. We do not know why Mogoditshane Sub-Land Board neglects us.

We know our charges but whenever we want to pay our fines, we are told that we cannot pay because our names cannot be found in their computers," said Philimon Dipholo. The residents said the officials favour those with deep pockets and generally they mistreat customers.

"We keep on going to Mogoditshane Sub-Land Board seeking help but your employees are incompetent and do not respect us. I feel that this is because they call us squatters," one of the residents shouted. "We are also upset that everyday, our yards' corners are shifted.