Justice under-resourced - Seretse

Isaiah Morewagae | Friday March 14, 2014 17:20

 

Presenting a budget proposal for the justice department, Seretse said human resource challenges pose a problem with staff overstretched.

“Government is however alive to these challenges and continues to assist in these trying economic times,” Seretse said.

Seretse requested close to P270 million for the 2014/2015 budget for the department. He justified the request stating that in an effort to continue promoting access to justice, the ministry continues to establish courts around the country.

“Last year I informed this House on our continued efforts in promoting access to justice through the establishment of courts across the country which would cut down distances that litigants travel to obtain services from courts,” Seretse said.

In pursuit of this goal, Seretse said, four new courts were planned for in Bobonong, Shakawe, Nata and Kang in the last financial year.

He said Bobonong has been turned into a fully-fledged and permanent magistrate court while suitable premises have been secured for Shakawe and Kang.

He told Parliament that since its establishment last year, the corruption court at the Lobatse High Court, under the management of Justice Tshepo Motswagole, has to date heard 11 cases at various stages of management.

“This court will speed up the disposal rate as such cases used to take long at the magistrates courts owing to referrals to the High Court as and when constitutional issues arose. The High Court with unlimited jurisdiction will therefore hear such cases without delays,” Seretse said. Also, said Seretse, efforts have been made to improve uncollected child maintenance money.  “I am happy to report that a lot of beneficiaries have now opened bank accounts to receive direct payments and this will ensure that the courts are not saddled with handling cash which is a security risk,” Seretse said.

He also revealed they have also entered into a partnership with Botswana Post to collect and disburse maintenance money especially in areas where there are no banks and where beneficiaries cannot open bank accounts.