Judges who fall short in performance will be shown the door – Boko
Mpho Mokwape | Thursday June 12, 2025 11:08
The Justices Michael Leburu, Tshepo Motswagole and Lot Moroka’s call to the bench is considered ‘long overdue’ for them having displayed dedication and hard work and contributed immensely to the Administration of Justice (AoJ) and the President says he expects more from their lengthy experience in the legal fraternity. “You have to be aware that high expectations are placed on legal practitioners, particularly judges. You may have the qualifications, having read law and acquired it. But there is a continuous assessment that determines that you are fit and proper. A judge is expected to make that decision when admitted into the profession,” he said. Boko, who recently approved the judges to join the CoA bench, on Wednesday this week presided over their swearing-in ceremony after the judges ceased their duties at the High Court. In his address to the Justices, Boko noted the responsibility placed on the legal profession emphasising that becoming a judge is not just a career but a calling defined by serious ethical and professional standards and that those who fall short in their performance will be laid off. “We know it is a profession because there are rules that apply.
There is a ritual that you go through when you are admitted into the legal profession. You have to be assessed. And it has to be determined that you are fit and proper. Those who fall short on their duties will be let go and thanked the judges,” he said. Boko also reminded the new COA judges of the continuous responsibility to uphold the values of justice and ethical conduct stating that there are protocols on how a judge must behave so that they remain in the profession. In closing, he wished the trio to display wisdom and integrity in their judicial duties. Meanwhile, there is no doubt that the three judges are highly qualified and experienced in the legal fraternity backed by their CV’s. Justice Leburu's CV shows that he is a highly competent, qualified and experienced judge of the High Court and he is one of the finest legal brains in the country. Justice Leburu is best described as intelligent, modest and humble. Considered well rounded, Justice Leburu has enjoyed an illustrious career right from 1993 when he graduated at the top of his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Class.
As a highly skilled judge in the AoJ, where he has been responsible for presiding over civil and criminal matters and then pass judgment and orders thereon, his ascension to the apex court has been hailed as a long overdue appointment. His impressive Curriculum Vitae (CV), shows that he graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Botswana and the same year he joined the AoJ as a Magistrate until 1999. The CV illustrates his employment record and all other achievements. Justice Motswagole, during his tenure at the High Court, displayed a high level of professionalism since joining the AoJ in 2010 as a judge. With his long and distinguished career as a legal expert, Justice Motswagole is an experienced legal officer with a demonstrated history of working in the judiciary industry. Skilled in arbitration, public speaking, legal writing, corporate law, and trials, he has a strong legal professional background with a LLM focused in Law from the University of the Witwatersrand. Justice Moroka has described himself as a thorough bred judicial officer. According to his CV, he joined the AoJ in 1992 as a Magistrate and rose through the ranks serving as a Magistrate Grade II up to Regional Magistrate until his appointment as a judge in 2010. He is an experienced judicial officer with a combined 32 years experience in judicial decision making, court management and leadership, having joined the Administration of Justice and contributed immensely towards the reforms and an improvement of the conditions of service of Magistrates during his tenure as a Magistrate.
In his distinguished career in the legal fraternity, Moroka has demonstrated great proficiency and skill in handling complex civil and criminal cases including complex corruption and economic crimes cases. His career footprints reflect that he has contributed to fundamental reforms in the AoJ which include; Judicial Case Management Systems ( JCM); Computerised Record Management System (CRMS); creation of Small Claims Court, Traffic Court, Family Court, introduction of Motion Courts in the Magistrate Courts; establishment of the Maun division of the High Court and others. Furthermore, his short biography mentions that he has demonstrated consistent faithful service to the course of justice.
Before being called to the CoA bench, Justice Moroka was serving as a Judge President of the Francistown Division of the High Court of Botswana, a post through which he was responsible for spearheading the implementation of the organisational strategic plan coupled with the road map and vision of the Chief Justice towards an agile and responsive justice system. Moroka, through his 32 years in the legal fraternity, has a proven track record in rendering sound decisions and upholding judicial integrity and has demonstrated proficiency in legal courtroom management and protection of fundamental human rights and upholding the rule of law. Like he said, he is a thorough bred judicial officer.