25 Feb 2015

Shashe West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao says there is need to strengthen confidence in the administration of justice. 

He said if not addressed, it might cause Batswana to lose confidence in the judiciary. Debating the Administration of Justice 2015/2016 budget proposal, Mr Molao said there was a need to capacitate magistrate courts with necessary resources, including human resources to ensure that justice was dispensed fairly and timely.

He said when people were not assisted when they lodge cases before magistrates courts, they may lose confidence in the judiciary since it fails to resolve their matters on time.

He called for the speeding up of mobile courts in order to reduce the backlog of small stock cases, adding that sometimes exhibits were destroyed or evidence lost when cases were delayed. He said in order to reduce the backlog of small stock cases, they should be heard in customary courts.

Furthermore, he said laws were relaxed to allow foreign attorneys to practice in the country which he said drives locals out of business, adding “but in their countries there are stringent restrictions that bar foreigners to practice, let us look into this matter” .

Supporting the budget, and sharing MP Molao’s view point, Nkange MP Mr Edwin Batshu called for fast tracking of cases adding that it is critical that justice should not be delayed for the reason that at times witnesses may die and exhibits lost and it will become difficult to process the case.

Mr Batshu also called for security of judges and magistrates adding that it will enable them to execute their functions freely.

He also called for construction of Tutume Magistrate court which was in National Development Plan 10 to be fast tracked adding that when police service stations are closer to the court it enables easier service delivery.

Letlhakeng /Lephephe MP Mr Liakat Karblay called for construction of a magistrate court in Letlhakeng. He reasoned that there are more stock theft cases in his area and that Molepolole Magistrate court which currently services clients from his constituency was far adding that at times witnesses repeatedly fail to show up on account of travelling long distances and justice ends up not served or delayed.

On Child maintenance cases Mr Karblay also called for a convenient system to be instituted. He said Revenue offices are unable to assist because at times a mother may travel for a long distance to collect maintenance only to be told it was not paid.He also called for bail out on serious criminal cases such as murder, rape and gun point robbery not to be granted for the reason that it may cause other complications.

Serowe South MP Ms Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi also shared Mr Karblay sentiments that offenders who commit serious crimes should not be granted bail. She stirred the debate on Marital Rape Act calling for it to come to effect. “Fact, petelelo e teng mo malwapeng e a diragala, ba teng basadi ba ba betelelwang…tota fela fa motho a iketsha kgomo ya letlhaka a tsamaya mo a rwala malwetsi kwa ntle a bo a tla mo lwapeng gatwe ke go tweng?” she said.

Ms Venson- Moitoi a law on marital rape will help curb a lot of social ills in marriages and greatly assist in behavioral change as well as instill respect by both partners in the marriage. ENDS