08 Feb 2017

Chief Justice, Mr Maruping Dibotelo has expressed delight over the progress made on some ongoing construction projects in the Administration of Justice.

Speaking during the 2017 Legal Year Opening in Gaborone on Tesdat February 8, Justice Dibotelo said the completion of the said projects would enhance service delivery.

He said the extension of Broadhurst Magistrate Court from a four courtroom facility to a 10 courtroom facility at a cost in excess of P75 million is progressing well.

He noted that the overall progress of the project as at December 2016 was 58 per cent, noting that the completion date is June 2017.

On the other hand, he said the construction of Kanye Magistrate Court and residential houses at a cost of over P65 million is on course. The overall progress of the project as at January 6 was 33 per cent. The completion date is also June.   

In the meantime two of the four staff houses in Maun being constructed at a total cost of nearly P6 million have been handed to the department.

On the other hand, Justice Dibotelo said due to resource constraints they have not been able to set up two other courts in Francistown to de-congest the magistrate courts as planned. He announced that the department is in the process of converting a BHC house in Francistown’s Area L, which used to house a judge, into a Family Court.  

In the same breath, Justice Dibotelo thanked the government for availing resources to facilitate the renovation and customisation of DBES warehouse in Kasane into a temporary court structure with two courtrooms. This comes after the fabricated court structure was attacked by termites compromising the safety of its continued use.

In a positive development, the Chief Justice said after a lengthy delay, Shakawe Magistrate Court is now operational, and that it would reduce the distance the people in the northern part of the country have to travel to access justice.   

Another milestone achievement is the operation of Nata Magistrate Court as from May 2016. This resulted in a considerable case workload destined for Francistown magistrate court being hived off to Nata.

On a different issue, Justice Dibotelo congratulated Justice Lakhvinder Walia, who will be retiring from the Bench on June 30 after 15 years of service. He said as one of the most senior Judges, Justice Walia had on numerous occasions been appointed to act as Chief Justice in his absence.

Justice Walia will be replaced by acting judge, Justice Dr Godfrey Radijeng following recommendation from Judicial Service Commission.

He also extended the same to former Attorney General, Dr Athaliah Molokomme, whom he said has served with distinguish and value to the nation; and wished her successor, acting attorney general, Mr Morulaganyi Chamme all the best in his new role.   

The theme for the 2017 Legal Year, which was attended by among others, the Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi is Stakeholder Participation: Fundamental to an Improved Justice Delivery System. ENDS