24 Mar 2021

Parliament on Tuesday approved the budget proposals for the Administration of Justice for the 2021/22 financial year.

Members of Parliament decried the amount of time it took to dispose off cases and some were against bails given to accused persons.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga welcomed the establishment of the Maun High Court, saying it would  provide easy access to residents who were forced to travel to Francistown or Lobatse to access justice.

He, however, said Batswana were finding it difficult to access justice due to exorbitant fees charged by lawyers.

MP Kapinga further called for the empowerment of the customary court.

He also said the administration should employ its own security personnel and free the police to do their core mandate.

The Okavango MP also said people who won civil cases had difficulty in enforcing judgements due to high fees charged by bailiffs and sheriffs.

MP for Mochudi West, Mr Mmusi Kgafela welcomed the appointment of new members to the High Court.

He also said he welcomed the decision by the Chief Justice to address tender litigations as urgent applications, adding that he was happy the Court of Appeal would also do the same.

MP Kgafela said tender cases took years to be completed and that it affected project costs.

He also said magistrates only prescribed minimum sentences for rape and corruption cases, and said they should not be lenient when dealing with rape cases.

Molepolole South MP, Mr Kabo Morwaeng welcomed the establishment of courts in Maun, Takatokwane and Mogoditshane, and said more courts should be built across the country to enable the quick disposal of cases. 

He said Molepolole residents were against bails given to accused persons.He also called for the strengthening of customary courts, saying dikgosi had experience to prevail over matters, especially stock theft cases. ends