965 criminal cases registered as corruption surge

The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) is currently managing a backlog of 965 criminal cases registered since 1stOctober 2025. This week, Augustine Nganyata, the Assistant Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, disclosed a notable surge in the registration of corruption cases alongside those deemed of national significance. In his presentation to the Committee of Supply for the Attorney General’s Chambers, Nganyata reported that 521 dockets, representing 53.9 percent of the total, have been processed to date.

Yet, the DPP continues to grapple with fiscal constraints, particularly concerning subsistence allowances for prosecutors required to travel extensively to serve regions lacking dedicated DPP offices, where prosecutorial services remain indispensable to the public. The DPP aspires to assume prosecutorial authority over all criminal cases as constitutionally mandated, including those presently handled by the Botswana Police Service (BPS). This ambitious transfer of prosecutorial powers, however, is hamstrung by insufficient resources allocated to the takeover project, designed to relieve the BPS of its delegated prosecutorial duties.

Nganyata highlighted growing security concerns faced by prosecutors, especially when handling high-stakes cases involving serious offenses, organized crime, and corruption. “Prosecutors are increasingly exposed to security risks in the execution of their duties, particularly in matters involving serious offences, organized crime, corruption and other high-risk prosecutions. Risks may arise within court environments, during travel to and from proceedings, and, in certain cases, at private residences.” To address these vulnerabilities, he proposed that the government adopt a comprehensive security framework tailored to prosecutors’ needs.

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This would include formal security risk assessments for prosecutorial roles and high-risk cases, alongside the deployment of armed security personnel in identified danger zones. Finally, Nganyata called for improved working conditions across prosecution chambers to attract and retain seasoned legal professionals. “Conditions across chambers need to be enhanced to attract, incentivize and retain experienced lawyers. Efforts are underway to address these challenges and achieve parity in remuneration across the public service, including responsibility allowance and commuted overtime allowance.”

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