05 Oct 2026

President Advocate Duma Boko has stressed the need for judges to reduce  errors in their decision, noting that that some rulings are final.

Swearing in Justice Professor Tachilisa Balule, who is joining the High Court bench, and Justice Tshegofatso Mogomotsi, who is joining the Court of Appeal on Friday, he called on the two appointees to pray for wisdom and minimise errors in their decisions, adding that a judge’s decision could advance society but could also, at worst, destroy it.

President Boko said sitting on the bench should not give an impression that one was beyond errors, as all were human and bound to make mistakes.

“We are all humans and we will make mistakes,” he said, noting that such positions called on one to approach decisions with solemnity and humility.

He urged judges to appreciate the consequences their decisions may have on litigants, families, societies, the country and generations yet to come.

President Boko said although the appointments were made on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission as per the dictates of the Constitution, he had personally interacted with the two and had confidence in their capabilities.

He said the addition of Justices Balule and Mogomotsi to the bench would enrich, strengthen and improve the country’s justice system and its jurisprudence.

Prior to his appointment, Professor Balule served as an Associate Professor of Law in the Department of Law at the University of Botswana, and once served as head of department.

He holds an LLB degree from the University of Botswana, LLM and PhD degrees from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and has published books, book chapters and academic journal articles in the areas of freedom of expression, including media freedom and access to information, and on aspects of electoral laws.

Justice Mogomotsi is elevated from the High Court bench to the country’s Supreme Court.

A former Magistrate, Justice Mogomotsi started her law career as a Magistrate in the 1990s and moved up the ladder until she became a High Court judge.

Her academic credentials include a Master of Laws obtained from the University of London, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Laws obtained from the University of Botswana. ENDS