The Law Society of Botswana (LSB) has accused Chief Justice (CJ) Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe of betraying its trust over what it describes as secretive and irregular judicial appointments.
The Society has now threatened to withdraw its nominated member from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), warning that public confidence in the courts is directly linked to confidence in how judges are appointed.
Speaking during the official opening of the legal year 2026 this morning, LSB chairperson Lesedi Moahi said recent judicial appointments have seriously eroded trust in the justice system.
Moahi said the situation worsened in December 2025 when, according to the Society, the JSC reverted to practices it had understood to have been abandoned.
“These concerns were brought into sharp focus in December 2025 when the JSC reverted to practices the Society had understood to be abandoned. A meeting of the commission was convened urgently by a late-night call to members of the JSC, scheduling it for the following morning, culminating in the appointment of a judge without any prior advertisement of the position,” Moahi said.
The Society said the development was a shocking reversal of the commitment made by CJ Ketlogetswe, who had assured the legal fraternity that proper channels would be followed under his tenure.
“This occurred notwithstanding the undertaking by the CJ Ketlogetswe upon assumption of office that judicial and quasi-judicial appointments shall be made with prior advertisement to all deserving candidates, in the interest of transparency and fairness, to continue upholding public confidence,” he said.
Moahi said the Society was “totally perturbed” by the developments, adding that the latest events had deepened concerns it has raised for some time.
“This position was communicated to our members only for derogation without prior notice to occur to the shock of everyone. This unexplained departure has gravely betrayed our expectations and damaged the relationship between the Law Society and the Administration of Justice,” he said.
As a result, Moahi said the Society has resolved to seek legal redress to set aside the appointment. The LSB further demanded the establishment of clear rules and regulations governing the appointment of judicial and quasi-judicial officers.
In the meantime, Moahi said the Society was considering drastic steps, including withdrawing from the JSC until the matter is resolved.
“While we await response to our demand, the Society is actively considering, amongst other steps, withdrawing its nominated member from the JSC until this issue is resolved satisfactorily,” he said.
Among the appointments the Society is questioning is that of Mmako Abram to the High Court bench, with the LSB accusing the executive of “headhunting” judges.
