Justice Ministry seeks P153m
Mpho Mokwape | Monday March 23, 2026 06:00
Presenting the budget, Minister Nelson Ramaotwana told legislators that the Ministry remains committed to strengthening access to justice and building inclusive institutions in line with national and international goals.
He said Botswana’s development agenda is aligned with global efforts to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development” and ensure justice for all.
The Minister began by outlining the ministry’s performance during the 2025-2026 financial year, highlighting several reforms and initiatives. Amongst these was progress in developing a child-friendly justice system.
He revealed that a new Standard Operating Procedures for handling children’s cases have been introduced and discussed with members of the judiciary.
“These efforts aim to transform the legal and institutional framework so it becomes more responsive, inclusive, and sensitive to children’s needs, adding that the reforms are intended to strengthen protection of children’s rights,” said Ramaotwana.
The Ministry has also taken steps to integrate gender considerations into the justice system. According to the Minister, guidelines have been developed to ensure that policies and services are equitable and responsive to the needs of all genders.
He said training programmes are ongoing, and implementation will be monitored through a structured evaluation system. On education for refugees, the Minister noted that while government obligations are limited to basic education under international conventions, partnerships have been formed with tertiary institutions and the private sector to support further studies for refugees.
Meanwhile, Legal Aid Botswana was highlighted as a key institution in improving access to justice. The Minister said the organisation continues to expand its reach under a strategy aimed at reducing the distance people must travel to access services.
“Legal Aid Botswana aims to ensure that indigent members of the public do not travel more than a 150-kilometre radius to access legal aid services,” he said.
Ramaotwana explained that a new operational centre is being established in Ghanzi, while outreach services are being provided through visiting offices in Mochudi, Letlhakane, Kavimba and Ghanzi. The minister said these efforts are part of a broader plan to decentralise services.
He also noted the launch of the Criminal Legal Aid Programme in January 2026, which is expected to improve legal representation for those who cannot afford private lawyers. In addition, mediation services have expanded, with more cases being settled and faster turnaround times recorded.
Despite these achievements, the minister acknowledged challenges facing Legal Aid Botswana, including staff shortages, high turnover, limited office space and inadequate resources such as vehicles and equipment.
On human rights, the minister said Botswana continues to show a strong performance both locally and internationally. He cited ongoing efforts to support indigenous communities, particularly the San, whose participation has been included in national development planning processes.
He said consultations with San communities were conducted across several districts, allowing their input into key programmes such as the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme. “Representatives of the San developed a culturally appropriate programme... to inform the National Development Plan,” he said.
The Minister added that Botswana’s efforts have been recognised internationally, with positive feedback from a United Nations Special Rapporteur who visited the country in 2025. He said the government remains committed to strengthening human rights and meeting reporting obligations under international agreements.
“Efforts to combat human trafficking have also been intensified. The country is working towards ratifying a regional protocol to improve cooperation with neighbouring states. At the same time, new operational frameworks have been implemented to improve coordination and support for victims,” the Minister said.
He reported that 1,591 frontline officers, including police, immigration officials and social workers, have been trained to better detect and respond to trafficking cases. Public awareness campaigns have also been conducted to reduce vulnerability and encourage reporting.
In the area of refugee management, the minister said a new law came into effect in November 2025 to improve the recognition and protection of refugees.
Ramaotwana stated that the law introduces stronger procedures for determining refugee status and protecting family members.
He also noted changes in international support, with the United Nations refugee agency closing its local office and shifting operations to South Africa.
“This means the Botswana government will take on additional responsibilities, including the provision of food and other essential services for refugees,” he said.
Focusing on financial performance, the minister said the ministry was allocated just over P1 billion for the 2025-2026 financial year and that by the end of January 2026, about 74 percent of the budget had been spent.
He explained that spending had been reduced due to restrictions on government purchases, travel and overtime, although essential services, particularly within correctional services, continued to operate.
For the 2026-2027 financial year, the proposed recurrent budget of P153.3m will mainly fund headquarters operations, including salaries, allowances and support for Legal Aid Botswana.
A portion of the budget will also go towards refugee management and anti-human trafficking activities, including food, welfare and maintenance of facilities.
On the development side, the ministry is seeking P48.9 million to fund key projects. These include infrastructure upgrades at Dukwi Refugee Camp, such as water systems, roads, sanitation and administrative facilities.
Additional funding will be directed to Legal Aid Botswana for digital transformation, including ICT upgrades, as well as the construction of a new office in Letlhakane and relocation of its headquarters and Gaborone centre.
The minister acknowledged that development spending in the current financial year has been low, with only 16 percent of the allocated budget used by January 2026. He attributed this to delays in procurement, contractor performance issues and prolonged tender processes.
He said steps are being taken to address these challenges and improve project implementation going forward.
In conclusion, the minister called on Parliament to approve the proposed budget, stating that the funds are necessary for the ministry to carry out its mandate and continue improving the justice system.
“I therefore move that the sum be approved to enable the Ministry to fulfil its mandate effectively,” he said.