He explained that an independent DPP budget from that of the AGC would enable the Director, as a warrant holder, to prudently and efficiently run the affairs of the Directorate without being overly reliant on what has been apportioned to the DPP. “It is therefore, crucial that there be de-linking of the DPP from the Attorney General’s Chambers with the result that the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will have its own resources both financial and non-financial. Such de-linking will entail the amendment of the Constitution,” Ramaotwana said. Presenting to the Parliament Committee of Supply, he said de-linking is crucial because often what is allocated to the DPP through AGC is more often than not inadequate and depletes long before the end of the financial year. As a result, he said it leaves the DPP running short of funds to cater for court engagements as well as to attend court at places where the DPP does not have offices as yet.
Ramaotwana emphasised that the office of the DPP aspires to prosecute all criminal cases as per the powers conferred upon her by the Constitution including those that are currently prosecuted by the Botswana Police Service. “However, this ambition has been greatly impacted upon by an acute shortage of resources for the takeover project which is aimed at relieving the Botswana Police Service (BPS) of the delegated prosecutorial powers previously bestowed upon them,” he said. He stated that the takeover project was resuscitated in April 2021 and the plan was that it be completed by March 2025. However, the acute shortage of dedicated resources to this project, particularly manpower and the absence of the DPP in most areas where there are police stations and Magistrates’ Courts have negatively affected the attainment of sustainable results.
