Bravo to President Khama :: Mmegi Online

The President Ian Khama has finally made his telling call. He has reluctantly appointed Omphemetse Motumise as judge of the High Court of Botswana. We must commend him for having taken that step albeit in reluctance.

It is common cause and well documented that the Court of Appeal (CoA) had ordered that the President was bound by the recommendations of the judicial service commission to appoint whoever has been so recommended. The CoA made it tellingly clear that it matters less how a sitting President feels about a recommended person and that a President has no veto powers to disregard the recommendation.

The CoA made it crystal clear that the power to appoint lies with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and fell short of saying that the President’s powers are only ceremonial to the extent of endorsing the recommendation.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.