07 Dec 2017

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has told Parliament that the power of the President to dissolve a Tribunal to investigate the conduct of judges was derived from Section 14 of the Public Authorities {functions} Act (CAP 02:11).

He said the tribunal was not part of the settlement process. Mr Kgathi said government did not incur expenditure on the Tribunal as it was made up of serving judges and was yet to start sitting.

He said its set up was interrupted by court proceedings challenging the suspension and its appointment.

He was responding to Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister whether Section 97(3) of the Constitution of Botswana or any other law or authority permits the President after appointing a Tribunal to investigate the conduct of Judges, to terminate such investigations and cancel the Tribunal.

He also asked if the Tribunal was part of the settlement process between the Executive and the four Judges and government expenditure to date in respect of the Tribunal. ENDS