BOFEPUSU throws weight behind Law Society

Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) says it sees nothing wrong with the remarks that were made by Law Society of Botswana (LSB) Chairman, Lawrence Lecha last week.

The remarks that were made during the official opening of the 2016 legal year have compromised relations between the society and the ministry of Defence Justice and Security. The LSB has refused to apologise as the ministry had demanded and threatened to terminate any working relationship with the society if it did not apologise.

Lecha had castigated the procedure followed when appointing Court of Appeal judges and revealed that they are joining other litigants in challenging the process.

BOFEPUSU, thorugh its Deputy Secretary, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa has revealed that it associates itself with the remarks of the LSB in their concerns on the Judicial crisis, appointment of judges and delay in delivery of justice.

“The LSB is right in its remarks because some of the Judges appointed seem not to be having the rightful credentials in terms of experience, expertise and ability to dispense justice without pressure from the executive. We have persistently issued statements that it is imperative to protect the independence of judiciary and nurture separation of powers in Botswana for the sake of our democracy and rule of law”, Motshegwa said.

He stated that they are conversely and vastly disturbed by the attitude and response of the Government of Botswana in its response to the remarks by the L.S.B. He said the federation feels it is petty and immature for the Government to demand the L.S.B to issue an apology when the society said what is within their right and emanating from their concerns.

“Infact what the L.S.B said resonate well with the concerns of Batswana and these are the issues that we as BOFEPUSU have raised before”, Motshegwa said.

“We offer our utmost solidarity to the L.S.B and commend them for having said it well in their delivery and we say they are not indebted to Government to offer any apology. The L.S.B is not an extension department of Government for it is independent. It does not have to appease the Government anyhow but rather they must be guided by societal consciousness, pursuit of truth and justice”, explained Motshegwa.