The Year 2025 will be remembered as a consequential and, at times, an unsettling one for Botswana’s judiciary The year 2025 will be remembered as a consequential and, at times, unsettling period for Botswana’s judiciary. It was a year marked by leadership transitions at the highest level, heated legal and constitutional debates, controversial appointments, and a growing judicial workload that tested the system’s capacity and independence. As political change and social pressures intensified, the courts increasingly found themselves at the centre of national conversation, praised by some for asserting independence, criticised by others for perceived opacity and political proximity.
What emerged was a judiciary in transition, navigating reform while under unprecedented public scrutiny. On 18 January 2025, Judge Gaolapelwe Gee Ketlogetswe was sworn in as Chief Justice, following the resignation of Justice Terrence Rannowane on health grounds. His appointment came at a sensitive time, as public confidence in institutions faced strain amid political realignments and rising criminal activity.
Justice Ketlogetswe’s elevation was widely welcomed across the legal fraternity. Known for his measured temperament, integrity and firm belief in judicial independence, his appointment signalled both continuity and renewal. From the outset, the new Chief Justice stressed efficiency, transparency and the safeguarding of judicial autonomy—priorities that would shape the judiciary’s direction throughout the year.
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In August, President Duma Boko appointed prominent private attorney Kgosietsile Ngakaagae as Director of Public Prosecutions. The appointment drew keen interest, given the DPP’s central role in politically sensitive and high-profile criminal cases. Ngakaagae’s arrival was seen by many as an attempt to restore confidence in the prosecution service.
His reputation for legal rigour and independence raised expectations that prosecutorial decisions would be more insulated from political influence. The appointment also reignited national debate around capital punishment. With President Boko publicly opposed to the death penalty, Ngakaagae’s tenure became intertwined with broader conversations about criminal justice reform and human rights.
Civil society groups renewed calls for abolition, while opponents insisted that the death penalty remained a necessary deterrent for the most serious crimes. Against this backdrop, the UDC-led government introduced proposals to amend the Constitution to establish a dedicated Constitutional Court. The move was justified as a way to strengthen constitutional oversight, particularly in human rights and governance disputes currently handled by the Court of Appeal.
The proposal proved divisive. Supporters argued that a specialised apex court would enhance clarity and consistency in constitutional interpretation. Critics countered that the public had not been adequately consulted and warned that such a court could be used to advance political objectives—particularly the possible judicial abolition of the death penalty.
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