Speaking at the opening of the legal year yesterday, Monthe said the Society continued to receive insults for wanting the CoA to reflect the demographics of the society it serves. Remarks along similar lines by Monthe’s predecessor, Lawrence Lecha last year at the same event, resulted in Government cutting off formal relations with the LSB and demanding an apology. Last year, Lecha said it was an accepted principle the presiding officers of courts must reflect the demographics of the society that those courts serve. The statement drew an angry response from Government, with then Defence, Justice and Security permanent secretary, Augustine Makgonatsotlhe saying Lecha had displayed an “insensitivity and intolerance that is not consistent with the values of Batswana, especially Botho,” before “the whole world”. Yesterday, echoing Lecha’s speech, Monthe said the LSB had been persecuted for its views, but was unwilling to back down.
“Just making the statement, the Society was hauled over coals, tarred, feathered and shamed as outcasts who were ill-mannered, racist and xenophobic,” he said.
