25 Feb 2015

Parliament was, on February 24, requested to approve over P252 million for the Administration of Justice (AoJ) to be expended in financial year 2015/2016.

Delivering the budget proposal Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Mr Shaw Kgathi stated that of the requested amount over P195 million was for the recurrent budget and over P56.5 million for the development budget. Compared to 2014/2015 approved budget the recurrent budget had increased by 5 percent, which he attributed to the growing needs of the Judiciary.

Under the recurrent estimates , he said P115.7 million would go to salaries and allowances which had increased by 7 percent this financial year because 5 new posts for the Law Reporting Unit were created. Further he said the increase was also attributable to a 4 percent salary adjustment that, “was effected in April this financial year, and which will impact 2015/2016 salaries,” he said

Over P16 million was requested for maintenance and rehabilitation of courts which he said are in a state of disrepair adding that the amount has shown a slight increase compared to last financial year, “This is due to the increase in the budget for rental of the Broadhurst Magistrate Court to make way for its refurbishment which is to be awarded in June 2015,” he told the house.

On the Development budget which is P56.5 million, Mr Kgathi said it had decreased by 30 per cent compared to financial year 2014/2015. The bulk of the budget-P30 million was requested for construction of Kanye Magistrate Court and extension of Broadhurst Magistrate court as well as upgrading of court of records management system.

Further he said that there were projects that were ongoing from financial year 2014/2015 which included construction of judges’ houses in Lobatse, procurement of vehicles, improvement to staff housing for Maun Magistrates court and gym facility for general staff at the Gaborone High Court. 

First to respond was Assistant Minister of Education Dr Unity Dow who vouched her support for the budget adding that given the nature of their job, judges require security which she advocated must be provided for.

She also called for action on judgments rendered, saying judgments on cases were given but there were not enough resources to effect the judgments which made it difficult for justice to be dispensed adequately.

Gabane /Mmankgodi MP Mr Pius Mokgware decried lack of affordability and accessibility of justice by Batswana. He said justice is too expensive for Batswana adding that delivery of judgments can take about three years while the client continued to pay legal fees.

 He said this affected the envisaged equal justice for all since those who have money have advantage over those who have no money.

Mr Mokgware also called for a comprehensive system that addressed issues of maintenance. He said accessibility of the money must be eased to enable both parties to swiftly do transaction, “maybe this money could be automatically drawn from the pay slips, and directly deposited into the account without one having to deal with revenue,” he said. ENDS