20 Oct 2022

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) should strive for impartiality and the upholding of Botswana’s constitution, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.

Swearing in Mr Tshekiso Tshekiso as a JSC member in Gaborone on Wednesday,  Dr Masisi urged him to ensure that the commission achieved its mandate for the benefit of the judicial system.

In an interview after taking the oath of office, Mr Tshekiso, who is Law Society of Botswana chairperson, promised to serve society and uphold the rule of law.

The new JSC member said with his vast experience in the judiciary,   he was sufficiently conversant with judicial tasks and was therefore ready to positively contribute to the country’s judicial system.

“I commit to serve the JSC to the best of my ability and further deepen the society’s advocacy role in the regulation of the legal profession, the promotion of legal education and assisting government and the courts in all matters affecting the administration and practice of law,” he said.

According to Mr Tshekiso, one of the pressing matters was transparency in filling vacancies at high court and Court of Appeal level.

He said there was need to make the appointments public by way of advertisement.

“As a representative of the Law Society of Botswana in the JSC, we are committed to continue advocating for transparency in appointing judges and members of the Court of Appeal bench and I am steadfast to carry on the advocacy from my predecessor Mr Martin Dingake,” he said.

He said assisting government in administration and practice of the law was one of the specific areas of the society’s mandate stipulated in the Legal Practitioners Act.

The cost-effective, quick, fair, transparent, equitable and quality delivery of justice was key and the foundation of any democratic state, stated Mr Tshekiso.

Regarding the independence of the judiciary, Mr Tshekiso said the law clearly prohibited interference in the judicial system. ends