Govt �blacklists� Law Society
Oarabile Mosikare | Thursday February 4, 2016 09:23
At the Legal Opening, LSB chair, Lawrence Lecha slammed the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for proceeding with appointments of judges, while litigation on the process was pending.
He singled out the recent appointment of a particular judge to the Court of Appeal, saying the Society would challenge the appointment.
“An accepted principle in the dispensation is that the presiding officers of courts must reflect the demographics of the society that those courts serve. The society, however, notes that this is not the case in the High Court and especially the Court of Appeal where gender, race and age are disproportionate to the demographic position of the country,” said Lecha.
Yesterday afternoon, however, Defence, Justice and Security permanent secretary, Augustine Makgonatsotlhe issued a charged up response, saying Lecha had behaved unprofessionally in naming the judge in question and further, by associating issues of race to his statements.
“While the LSB is free to announce its intention to bring litigation against anyone it chooses, the manner and context in which Lecha made his remarks was inappropriate.
“In naming the Honourable Judge, who was present in court, Lecha personalised the matter unnecessarily, and displayed an insensitivity that is unbecoming of the leader of a professional association.”
“By making these remarks, especially in so far as they relate to race, Mr Lecha displayed an insensitivity and intolerance that is not consistent with the values of Batswana, especially botho, and mutual respect,” said Makgonatsotlhe.
He said Lecha had ‘soiled’ an otherwise “dignified and solemn occasion where the leadership of Botswana at all levels was represented, and the world was watching”.
“To this end, we demand an unreserved written public apology from the chairperson of the Law Society, for the embarrassment he has caused members of the judiciary and the nation.
“Until this apology is made, the ministry will not interact with the Law Society in any official capacity,” Makgonatsotlhe said. By press time yesterday, senior Law Society officials had confirmed receipt and sight of Makgonatsotlhe’s statement, but declined to comment.
“We are still studying it,” said an official. The society’s executive secretary, Tebogo Moipolai said he had heard about the statement, but had not seen it.