01 May 2018

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has applauded outgoing Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo for his leadership and foresight regarding judicial matters in the country.

Speaking at a farewell reception held at GICC hosted for Justice Dibotelo on April 27, Minister Kgathi noted that while in office, Justice Dibotelo did not restrict himself to being the head of the organisation, but was a hands-on person in terms of hearing cases, visiting and monitoring projects.

In addition, Minister Kgathi praised Justice Dibotelo for initiating some innovations such as e-filing, Court Records Management System, Judicial Case Management, Voice Prompt Systems, numerous special courts, establishment of additional magistrate courts, acquisition of special vehicles and refurbishment of some of the court.

“I am aware you used to convene judicial conferences on annual basis as a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing of operational challenges between the judicial officers, and other key stakeholders such as Botswana Police Service, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, the prisons department and the Law Society of Botswana”, he said.

He noted with pride that one of the recommendations arising from such judicial conferences, was the convening of a special conference on the resourcing of the judiciary.

The conference came up with ideas relating to the resource provision for the entire justice delivery continuum. In addition, the outcomes of this conference were factored into the eleventh National Development Plan (NDP 11) through the Thematic Working Group on Governance, Safety and Security.

For his part, Justice Dibotelo noted that he had been working closely with his SADC counterparts in the improvement and delivery of justice to their respective people.

Likewise, Justice Dibotelo said he had observed, during his working with Minister Kgathi as political head of the ministry, that he presents their issues to government with conviction and understanding, which facilitates their prompt resolution and implementation.

In the meantime he said that government had found a suitable candidate, Justice Terrence Rannowane, to replace him ending long anxiety and a period of waiting.

“I shall be leaving and bequeathing to the incoming Chief Justice the good luck wishes for his job and warmly congratulate him on his appointment”, he said.

He noted that he had been mindful and constrained during the period of his extended tenure, from making any decisions of major policy departure that would compromise his successor.

In the meantime, he praised the government for its observance for the Rule of Law, noting that it has in the past obeyed all court orders and rulings, even those against it.

He noted that there is nothing that tarnishes the image of a country like an unclean or compromised judiciary. ENDS