06 Sep 2016

Chanoga leadership has come up with an initiative to empower traditional leaders and employees of the customary court to fully understand their roles and responsibilities.

The village chief, Kgosi Oateng Setlhodi said in an interview that preparations were underway to host a capacity building seminar, which would attract traditional leaders from areas serviced by Maun Administrative Authority, senior chief representatives from the Ngamiland District, court bailiffs, clerks and police officers serving in customary courts.

He said the seminar was slated for September 12 in Chanoga and the director of department of tribal administration,  Mr Tumelo Seboko was expected to officiate while the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, northern division Kgosi Christopher Masunga would facilitate the training.

He said the main objective of the seminar was to upgrade the level of understanding for  participants.

Asked why they came up with the initiative, Kgosi Setlhodi pointed out that they wanted to correct a disturbing situation where most cases were dismissed at the customary court because of human error. 

He also noted that some cases were dismissed because of lack of understanding by those in charge be it the police or customary court clerk failing to write the statement correctly or the kgosi presiding over the case failing to comply with customary court procedures.

He stated that there were customary court procedures and rules in place which need to be followed when presiding over cases or carrying out arbitration process. Kgosi Setlhodi said the training was ideal as it would improve the participants’ level of understanding, create an enabling environment and strengthen effective communication between the workers and other stakeholders.

“I believe we need to be all educated and empowered as some of us do not understand the customary court procedures as some preside cases without summons. I hope the training would assist us to deliver efficiently since we would be equipped with the necessary information and knowledge,” he added. ENDS