The newly appointed Chief Justice (CJ) of Botswana, Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe expressed his sentiments during his maiden speech at this morning's Opening of the Legal Year saying, "Go lebega e kare bo rraboko ba tla itaola thata (loosely translated to 'ritual killers are getting out of hand'.)"
At his first high-profile assignment since his recent appointment, Ketlogetswe highlighted that cases of ritual murders have become a scourge and pose a serious public security threat.
Although he did not share statistics, the CJ noted the need for a more comprehensive approach to dealing with such cases.
“We have also recognised that cases of ritual killings have become a scourge, needing new approaches in the nature of training investigators, prosecutors, and judicial officers in the handling of such cases,” he said.
“This will be done as a matter of urgency as we recognise that cases of ritual killings pose a real and serious threat to the security and safety of our people," Ketlogetswe shared. “Go lebega e kare bo rraboko ba tla itaola thata. Their conduct must, therefore, be brought to an abrupt end by an effective crime detection and prosecution justice system,” he added.
Another matter, according to the CJ, needing urgent attention is that of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Ketlogetswe noted that in his consultations with the Commissioner of Police and magistrates, they realised there may be a need to standardise how the procedures and processes in handling GBV and other domestic violence cases are done.
“This will require training, upskilling, and re-tooling of magistrates' soft skills in handling such cases. This is a matter needing urgent attention in the short term,” he said.
Although he did not share statistics, the CJ noted the need for a more comprehensive approach to dealing with such cases.
“We have also recognised that cases of ritual killings have become a scourge, needing new approaches in the nature of training investigators, prosecutors, and judicial officers in the handling of such cases,” he said.
“This will be done as a matter of urgency as we recognise that cases of ritual killings pose a real and serious threat to the security and safety of our people," Ketlogetswe shared. “Go lebega e kare bo rraboko ba tla itaola thata. Their conduct must, therefore, be brought to an abrupt end by an effective crime detection and prosecution justice system,” he added.
Another matter, according to the CJ, needing urgent attention is that of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Ketlogetswe noted that in his consultations with the Commissioner of Police and magistrates, they realised there may be a need to standardise how the procedures and processes in handling GBV and other domestic violence cases are done.
“This will require training, upskilling, and re-tooling of magistrates' soft skills in handling such cases. This is a matter needing urgent attention in the short term,” he said.
