24 Nov 2016

Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has presented to Parliament a budget of P52.2million for the Industrial Court’s programmes and projects for the National Development Plan (NDP 11).

When presenting the proposed projects on Tuesday, he said in being responsive to its state, and the urgent need to improve access to labour justice, the court intends to establish a division of the court in Maun during NDP 11.

 In the same period, two (2) semi-permanent courts will be established in Selebi-Phikwe and Kanye. 

He said in Selebi-Phikwe, the court has acquired the property previously used by the Department of Building and Engineering Services (DBES), whilst in Kanye the Southern District Council has availed some premises to the Court.

Mr Mabeo said the purchase of ICT equipment and associated hardware and software will be key priorities for the court in the next development plan. 

“Such equipment will facilitate the introduction of Judicial Case Management (JCM) and Case Records Management System (CRMS). These tools will effectively facilitate the speedy disposal of cases, and are a critical step towards the attainment of Real Time Recording,” he said.

The projected expansion of the court, he said, will necessarily attract increased manpower and more frequent visits to rural settlements for site visits where necessary, and also cater for the elderly and other less privileged litigants and witnesses who cannot travel long distances as well as expanding its fleet during NDP 11 proportionate with its needs.

The sum of P31,5milion has been budgeted for the establishment of Maun Division of the Industrial Court, P7,3million for the establishment of two Semi-Permanent Courts in Selebi-Phikwe and Kanye and Purchase of ICT associated equipment at a cost of P7,6million  as well as  P5,8million for fleet expansion.

He further said due to the increasing number of labour disputes in some areas in this country, it is important to strengthen judicial management systems and structures in order to enhance access to justice. 

“It is a recognised principle that in the absence of access to justice, or compromised access, people are unable to have their voices heard, and are curtailed from exercising their rights fully, and cannot challenge discrimination or hold decision makers accountable. Therefore, a judicial system must be effective, responsive and accessible and only then we can satisfactorily confirm that the rule of law and good governance,” he said.

Comparatively, he said the Industrial Court is the only judicial institution in Botswana that does not enjoy vast geographical visibility.BOPA