Gasita voices support for Constitutional

Residents of Gasita have expressed support for the establishment of a dedicated Constitutional Court in Botswana, viewing it as a vital step towards protecting citizens’ rights and addressing long-standing grievances. This emerged during a consultative meeting held recently, where the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware engaged the community on the proposed constitutional court’s creation. The discussions formed part of ongoing nationwide consultations aimed at gathering public input on introducing the court to strengthen constitutional interpretation and rights enforcement.

One resident, Mr Kelebileone Puoeng emphasised the need for the court to fulfill its intended mandate. He shared personal experiences of rights violations and expressed confidence that such a specialised court would provide timely and effective resolutions in the future. Mr Ntshekisang Tekanyo echoed this view, stressing that the court must serve the interests of all Batswana without deviation from its proposed purpose.

Participants highlighted the constitutional court’s potential to make justice more accessible, particularly for those marginalised by high legal fees. They noted that land disputes, a common issue in rural areas, could be resolved more fairly and affordably through the new judicial body. Minister Mokgware reinforced these points with real-world examples.

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He referenced the case of Mr Pitseng Gaoberekwe, whose body remained in a mortuary for three years amid a dispute over burial rights on ancestral land, a matter he described as a clear human rights violation that a constitutional court could have addressed swiftly. The minister also pointed to the liquidation of the BCL mining group, suggesting that former employees might have used the court to contest their rights and entitlements more effectively. Additionally, he highlighted inheritance disputes as another area where the court would provide much-needed intervention.

Gen Mokgware further noted that restoring powers to traditional leaders through the court’s framework would aid in resolving inheritance matters and uphold customary governance. Meanwhile residents raised concerns about local infrastructure. They urged the government to prioritise tarring the Selokolela-Gasita-Lorolwane Road, which is currently in poor condition and hinders movement between villages.

The consultative meeting reflects broader national dialogue on constitutional reforms, with communities across Botswana weighing the benefits of a specialised court against other priorities. Residents in Gasita appeared optimistic about its potential to enhance justice and rights protection for ordinary citizens.BOPA

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