Mmegi

Justice ministry vows to fast-track criminal cases

Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

In a historic development for Botswana’s justice system, the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services yesterday officially launched a specialised criminal court, a dedicated branch under the High Court, to tackle the country’s growing backlog of criminal cases.

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.”

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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