10 Feb 2016

Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo recently toured the Kasane Magistrate Court offices, which have been described as inhospitable by two maintenance reports.

“The building is no longer conducive for working here and a report by the Chobe District Council has described this building as an occupational hazard,” Justice Dibotelo told the media on Monday.

He said some employees had complained of itchiness as a result of the exposed ceiling. A tour of the offices showed that ceilings, rafters, light fittings had been damaged by termites.
He noted that the problem dated back to 2012.

Chief Justice Dibotelo, however, said they could not afford not to have a magistrate court in Chobe, especially looking at the prevalence of poaching and cross-border crimes.
He said he would meet the district commissioner’s office as well as the council to explore options for a temporary office.

Kasane senior magistrate, Mr Gofaone Morweng, thanked the Chief Justice for touring their offices to appreciate the weight of the problem,and expressed hope that the matter would be resolved.

“Some ceilings have already started falling and the openings left behind are very dangerous as the debris from the ceiling pollute the air, which can affect the officers,” read a brief from the Department of Buildings and Engineering Services (DBES).

The report recommended that the magistrate court be moved to a temporary facility. Similarly, the Chobe District Council report recommended the same, emphasising the need to find alternative office accommodation as soon as possible. Ends