27 Aug 2025

Several speakers have described the recently deceased Court of Appeal judge, Justice Lakhvinder Singh Walia as a esteemed jurist who made an indelible mark in the development of the country’s legal system. 

Speaking at a Memorial Service held in Justice Walia’s honour at the Court of Appeal in Gaborone on Tuesday, speakers from government and the legal fraternity took turns to describe him for serving as a hardworking and morally upright judge.

Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa extended President Advocate Duma Boko’s condolences to the Walia family, saying that in his legal work President Boko had known the late judge as a man of unshakable principles. 

He said the deceased ensured justice was timeously served and that the judicial system remained fair, accessible and independent, thus becoming a moral campus for the nation. 

He said Botswana needed more of such patriots who did not serve for applause, but worked to make an impact ‘without spectacle’.  Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana, deputy permanent secretary, Mr Moffat Lubinda said Justice Walia was a stickler for rules, holding the ethics of the legal system in high esteem. 

He said Justice Walia carried himself with high standards in both his public and private lives and proved to be dependable in being exemplary to others around him. 

“Though we have lost a giant, we are comforted by the rich legacy he left among us,” Mr Lubinda said.

Chief Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe described Justice Walia as an esteemed jurist, father and friend who executed his legal tasks judiciously and his human interaction was a father fugue to many. 

He said he had known Justice Walia from the time they worked in Francistown and later served in the Rules Committee alongside Michael Leburu and Mareledi Dipate then in the Court of Appeal. 

Justice Ketlogetswe said Justice Walia was passionate about his work, having a sense of fairness and strong viewpoints guided by the law, constitution and his conscience.

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Tebogo Tau said the Botswana Justice system lost a quality jurist who was fearless and firm in his dispensation of justice. 

She said those left behind should emulate the love for work and care for welfare of support staff that characterised Justice Walia’s approach to duty. 

Justice Tau said the frankness and unshakable sense of duty led Justice Walia to run his race of life with distinction.

Court of Appeal judge, Justice Isaac Lesetedi said having first worked as a conveyer and notary legal practice then for about 25 years as a judge, Justice Walia possessed a sharp and astute legal mind, particularly his earlier area of speciality, commercial law and company law, also extending his knowledge to broader areas of law.

Justice Lesetedi added that Justice Walia’s institutional knowledge of the judiciary extended to the Court of Appeal where he served the last seven years of his career, from his 2018 appointment. 

He said the legacy of Justice Walia’s contribution to the country’s jurisprudence was documented in the journal articles he wrote, which would be a resource to future generations.

On behalf of the Law Society, attorney Mr Samuel Plaatjie said Justice Walia was stern in demanding the best out of the lawyers who appeared before him, given the weight of responsibility they had in presenting society with justice. Justice Walia’s son, Mr Jaydev Walia said his father served the country with honour and pride and taught his children integrity, honesty and respect. ENDS