27 Jul 2020

Mr Martin Dingake and Ms Keorapetse Boepetswe have been appointed members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

  The two were sworn in by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at Office of the President yesterday.

In an interview after taking oath of office, Mr Dingake pledged commitment  to serving the commission and upholding the rule of law.

Having spent 14 years in the judicial service, he said he was sufficiently conversant with judicial tasks to contribute positively to the JSC.

He said his appointment to the JSC would further deepen the Botswana Law Society’s advocacy regarding appointment to both the high court and court of appeal bench.

“One of the most pressing and controversial issues has been the opening of vacancies within the high courts, hence there is need to make the appointments public, by way of advertisement and promote transparency of judicial appointments,” he said.

 With regard to the localisation of the Court of Appeal, Mr Dingake said the exercise should remain JSC’s top priority, as the country had over the years developed an array of local judges credible enough to sit on the bench.

He said the law society had always advocated for the appointment of judges to reflect the demographics of the nation.

For her part Ms Boepetswe applauded the President for showing faith in her integrity by appointing her to the JSC.

 Ms Boepetswe said although not conversant with judicial matters, she is banking on her experience in the public service in serving the commission.

 The JSC comprises the chief justice, who is also the chairperson, Court of Appeal president, attorney general, a member of Law Society of Botswana, chairman of Public Service Commission and a member appointed by the President. Ends