04 Feb 2026

Calls for urgent improvement in Botswana’s health system dominated Constitutional Court consultations in Shorobe kgotla on Monday, as residents urged government to prioritise access to medication and lifesaving services before establishing new judicial institutions.
While the community did not oppose the proposed Constitutional Court, discussions quickly shifted to pressing realities on the ground, with residents warning that delays in addressing the country’s health challenges were costing lives.
Kgosi Totang Dingalo of Shorobe commended government for engaging citizens directly on constitutional matters, describing the consultation as a sign of a listening and inclusive administration.
However, residents used the platform to voice concerns that socio-economic challenges, particularly in healthcare, required immediate attention.
Shorobe resident, Mr Ketshabile Mambukushu said although the Constitutional Court was a good initiative, its timing raised questions.
“It is a good idea, but our health system is failing the people, and that should come first,” he said, calling for swift intervention to restore public confidence in healthcare services.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mr Oabile Chombo argued that funds intended for the Constitutional Court could be redirected to urgent needs such as healthcare and the deteriorating Maun-Shorobe road, which he described as becoming increasingly impassable.
He said postponing the establishment of the court would be a more responsible approach during this time.
“People are dying simply because there is no medication, and that deserves more urgency than anything else,” he said.
For his Part, Mr Zambia Keabetswe welcomed the establishment of the Constitutional Court, noting its potential to address long-standing constitutional issues, including the recognition of tribes previously excluded from constitutional acknowledgment.
“We do not want to go to court to argue for our recognition in the Constitution of Botswana so if the Constitutional Court can resolve such issues, then we welcome it with open arms,” he said.
Responding to the concerns, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Mr Noah Salakae urged residents to view development as a balanced process, cautioning against sacrificing one sector to address another.
“If we abandon other developments to focus on one, we risk undermining the economy and reversing progress,” he said, adding that shortages of medication had been a long-standing challenge that would not necessarily be resolved by delaying constitutional reform.
He appealed to the community to consider national priorities holistically, describing the Constitutional Court as a key step in strengthening Botswana’s democratic and legal framework. ENDS