23 Jul 2013

Parliament on July 22 was presented with the Customary Courts (Amendment) Bill which gives dikgosi powers to impose fines of up to P1 000.

Presenting the bill for second reading, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele said fines had been increased from P50 and P100 to P500 and P1 000 respectively.

The bill also called for the establishment of Customary Courts of Appeal through statutory instruments to ensure that the instrument establishing them formed part of the statute book. Mr Siele said the bill empowered the minister to appoint a president of the Customary Court of Appeal.

A new cadre of court bailiffs, he pointed out, was to be established to perform some of the duties that used to be performed by Local Police Officers who have since transferred to the Botswana Police Service. The minister further said warrants would no longer be countersigned by administrative officers to eliminate the delays which occur when officers are not readily available.

Minister Siele said the Bill also takes into considerations resolutions made by members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi. ENDS