18 May 2020

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, Ms Matshidiso Bokole, has laid down her ministry’s extreme social distancing phase three exit plans.

Speaking at a televised COVID-19 update meeting today (May 18), Ms Bokole said training institutions of Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana Police Service and Prisons Services would remain closed.

She noted that there would still be no visits for offenders at all prisons across the country save for attorneys who were to contacts their clients behind bars. She said the facilities would continue to offer psychosocial support to all offenders.

Ms Bokole said the Dukwi refugee camp had a manageable population and explained that the country was not processing any request for those applying for refugee status.

She said the ministry would not issue any private security licenses and that due to effect of the restricted movements, there would be no penalty fees for expired licenses.

Registrar and Master in the Administration of Justice, Mr Michael Motlhabi, admitted that there had been a limited scope in the Administration of Justice.

He said judges and magistrates were working round the clock to address backlog. He said they were undertaking a course in ICT to judges so as to make it possible for them to deliver judgments online.

Mr Motlhabi said before the coronavirus pandemic they had already made their intentions for e-filing and they would continue with these interventions post covid-19.

Chairperson of the Law Society of Botswana, Mr Diba Diba, said abiding by lockdown protocols was so far impressive. He said the pandemic propelled those in the Administration of Justice to make changes to case management.

He adviced stakeholders to move with time and be technologically prepared for trying times.
Ends