01 Nov 2016

 Chief Justice Mr Maruping Dibotelo says it is imperative that the judiciary is adequately resourced so that it can effectively and efficiently deliver on its mandate, which is to timeously dispense justice.

Welcoming delegates at the 2016 Conference on Resourcing of the Judicial System held in Gaborone this week, justice Dibotelo said efficiency of the judiciary depends on whether other stakeholders are also sufficiently resourced.

He noted that last year’s conference resolved that funds permitting a stakeholders conference be convened by the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security as a matter of urgency to deal specifically with issues of resources for the judiciary and its key stakeholders .

In addition the conference resolved that the justice system is a responsibility of the judiciary and its key stakeholders and that to ensure the enhancement of service excellence in the justice system there is a critical need for adequate resourcing not only of the judiciary but also its key stakeholders.

The chief justice therefore said this conference provides a platform for all of them to come up with concrete and practical proposals for resourcing concerned institutions in order to improve service delivery to the people of this country.

Justice Maruping therefore urged stakeholders to avoid the natural tendency of blaming each other or making remarks that are of no particular meaning or relevance as that will derail them from the essence of this conference.

“As we make a case for the resourcing of our institutions we must always bear in mind the heavy burden on our shoulders of diligently and timeously serving the public,” he said.

In the meantime he told delegates that he has in the past at various fora made a case for the sufficient and suitable funding of the judiciary, exhorting the government to embrace it as a tenet of good governance which fosters financial and institutional independence of the judiciary which in turn enhances the effective functioning of the courts thereby engendering public confidence.

Justice Maruping however noted that they are mindful and cognisant of the fact that by their very nature resources are finite and limited, adding that the government has an obligation to provide and cater for all and sundry.

“However, our frustration arises in circumstances where the rudimentary is not met. For example, situations where the justice system grinds to halt due to lack of stationery, toiletries, transport, manpower, funds to pay witnesses, prodeo attorneys/ad hoc interpreters, attending to part heard cases or visiting stations are an anathema which must not be allowed to obtain”, he said.

He said in this regard there would be insinuations that the Administration of Justice failed to budget whereas their estimates would have been cut or rejected on account of the rigid set ceilings.

“We are sometimes misunderstood when we submit that the synergy of stakeholders in the justice system must not be interpreted as equating the judiciary, which is an arm of the state, to departments or institutions that fall under the ministry of defence, justice and security as to do so would undermine the independence of the judiciary which we ought to guard jealously at all times,” he warned. ENDS