Justice ministry vows to fast-track criminal cases
Pini Bothoko | Monday September 8, 2025 15:22
For years, there has been a public outcry over delays in the prosecution of cases, with backlogs dragging on for years. In frustration, some members of the public have resorted to taking the law into their own hands, assaulting and, at times killing accused persons or repeat offenders who are out on bail.
Delivering welcome remarks during the ceremony, Chief Justice, Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe described the launch as a “milestone in the quest for speedy justice and protection of human rights.”
He said the establishment of criminal courts comes at a time when the nation grapples with rising crime rates, case delays, and a justice system stretched thin.
“We are here today to mark and witness a very important milestone in our endeavour to have justice to be easily accessed and expeditiously dispensed in our criminal justice ecosystem. Our congregation at this August court house is testament of the renewal of our collective commitment to speedy justice and protection of human rights,” Ketlogetswe said.
Ketlogetswe highlighted that despite numerous reforms, including the Computerised Case Records Management System (CRMS) in 2005 and the Judicial Case Management system (JCM) in 2008 courts continue to struggle with an increasing case backlog.
Figures, he shared, painted a troubling picture. As of August 2025, the Gaborone and Lobatse High Court divisions had 1,225 criminal cases pending, with 260 criminal trials, mostly murder cases, and 88 criminal appeals. The Francistown division had 462 criminal cases, including 59 appeals. He said these numbers translate into years of waiting for trial dates, with some cases already scheduled as far ahead as 2027, something he described as an untenable situation.
“Although these may appear to be just numbers, the sad reality is that behind these numbers are human beings who have been killed by fellow human beings. Families of the deceased victims have to wait for many years before they can know what has become of perpetrators of crimes that took their loved ones. This is unacceptable,” he said.
To address these delays, Ketlogetswe said the judiciary has introduced specialised criminal courts staffed with dedicated judges who will exclusively handle criminal cases. He said priority will be given to murder, manslaughter, human trafficking, and corruption cases.
He disclosed that five judges have been assigned to the Gaborone division, who are Justice Dr Godfrey Radijeng, Justice Omphemetse Motumise, Justice Oteng Motlhala, Justice Bafi Nlanda, and himself. Additionally, he said in Francistown, Justices Taboka Slave, Nomsa Sinki Moatswi, and Tshekiso Tshekiso will preside over criminal cases.
“Justice Motumise will lead the Gaborone division, while Justice Slave will head the Francistown division,” he said.
On corruption, Ketlogetswe stressed seriousness, noting that Justices Motlhala, Nlanda, Tshekiso, and himself will handle all corruption-related cases. He disclosed that the specialized courts will initially run for one year, with a target to reduce the backlog by 80% and a review will then determine whether they should continue.
Meanwhile, Ketlogetswe made a plea against Gender Based Violence (GBV). In a strongly worded appeal, Ketlogetswe condemned the rising cases of gender-based killings, particularly men murdering women in intimate relationships.
“May I plead with our people to please stop killing others. It is unacceptable that our men seem to think that they are entitled to kill women who no longer want to stay with them in a love relationship. This must come to an end. The courts are going to be passing appropriate sentences to send a clear and very loud message, be warned! ” said Ketlogetswe.
Furthermore, Ketlogetswe revealed that divorce cases are overwhelming the courts, with 1,227 divorce cases in Gaborone alone, representing 2,454 individuals seeking separation. He cautioned that delays in resolving such matters could worsen social problems, including gender-based violence (GBV).
He also hinted plans to establish specialized commercial courts to handle business disputes, thereby boosting investor confidence in Botswana’s legal environment. Ketlogetswe emphasized that effective justice requires cooperation across the entire legal ecosystem.
He issued a clarion call to the Botswana Police Service (BPS), the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), and the Law Society of Botswana (LSB) to play their part.
“Like a crocodile that never goes out to hunt, we will be waiting for you to bring the prey. I urge investigators, prosecutors, and lawyers to strengthen their work and I also appeal to citizens to support law enforcement by assisting police and cooperating as witnesses when called upon, this will be a symbol of commitment to justice,” he said.
Ketlogetswe said the launch of the criminal courts demonstrates the judiciary’s resolve to adapt to Botswana’s changing realities.
“The launch of the criminal courts is yet another symbol of commitment to justice, and our acknowledgment that we have responsibility to adapt our justice system to the ever-changing circumstances of our lives,” he said.
He thanked stakeholders for their continued collaboration, assuring the nation that the judiciary would continue improving service delivery to ensure justice is dispensed fairly and promptly.
Doing closing remarks, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ramaotwana Ramaotwana conceded to be aware that since the covid era, the courts have been battling with a backlog of cases and as a result, delays in the delivery of justice.
He said the statistics from the administration of justice annual report for the year 2025 indicate that the disposal rate of criminal at high courts between December 2024 and January 2025 stood at 35%. Ramaotwana stated that this slow disposal of criminal cases is certainly a bad mark on the justice system as a whole as it often results in the denial of justice to the victims of crime.
“During the long period that a case takes before courts, often crucial evidence is lost, as witnesses pass on and the quality of exhibits diminishes. This can lead to the loss of confidence in our courts by members of the public which will affect the strength of our democracy and good governance as a country. It is my sincere belief therefore that the establishment of criminal courts is an endeavor to address this problem, as well as conform with the aim of the administration of justice to maintain a modern and efficient judiciary that is accountable to the public,” Ramaotwana said.
The minister further shared similar sentiments that the launch comes at the most opportune time when the country find itself plagued by brutal murders often committed in course of relations gone sour. He said these offences will be dealt with speedily and efficiently, hopefully sending out a clear message that Botswana is a country that prides itself in the respect for the rule of law.
“Although it is now common course that the country currently faces financial challenges, we stand ready as a ministry to facilitate and advocate for more resources for the judiciary when the financial situation normalizes,” Ramaotwana said.