Botswana judges’ personal finances has exploded into judicial internal strife as High Court judges threaten to take up arms against “the system” Documents passed to the Sunday Standard reveal that prior to the ongoing fight between Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane and High Court Judge Ketlogetswe there was a brewing campaign by judges to revolt against “this organisation.”
As part of the background in his letter to President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane disclosed that Justice Ketlogetswe was among a number of judges who ran up huge telephone bills and when called upon to settle his bill threatened to turn against the judiciary.Chief Justice Rannowane says it was recently discovered that Judge Ketlogetswe owed P12, 759.00 in phone bills. “I must hasten to add that some other Judges also owed bills but their amounts were in many cases much lower. Judge Ketlogetswe’s outstanding telephone bill was one of the highest amounts due.
The Chief Registrar had written to judges to request them to clear their arrears within 7 days or risk having their arrears placed before a relevant parliamentary committee, which she implored was a situation they should avoid. As usual, he refused to take accountability for his indiscretion and wrote in the Judges WhatsApp group in reply to Judge Lekorwe’s suggestion that Judges should sue for the 4% salary increment contained in the White paper that was borne from the Gaongalelwe Commission.
‘I can’t agree with you more my Lord. I think we should reciprocate the way this organization is treating us. Yesterday some of us received some rudely crafted letters of demand from the Chief Registrar on unpaid cell phone bills giving us 7 days to pay or be referred to some parliamentary committee. There was even some difficulty to understand reference to General orders. I think we have been too nice for too long.’
”Chief Justice Rannowane says “this is an important indicator that we are dealing with a deceitful, irresponsible and cankerous Judge who thrives in conflict and disharmony and constantly seeks confrontation,” says the Chief Justice.In another allegation suggesting that Justice Ketlogetswe’s financial position may be affecting his relationship with the judicial command, Justice Rannowane states in his letter to President Masisi that “ last year or so, Judge Ketlogetswe irresponsibly drove his Mercedes Benz ML without insurance.
He subsequently hit a cow and got the vehicle extensively damaged. He begged and pleaded with me to allow him the dispensation to sell his leave days to raise money to fix the car. I reluctantly, out of the desire to appease him and buy peace for the organization, relented and gave approval for his request.”The Chief Justice says “ following that, sometime this year, Judge Ketlogetswe once again demanded indulgence to sell leave to repair his fields’ parameter fence which he claimed was damaged by elephants.”The Chief justice says that on the basis of the advice he got from Senior Management who had consulted other Government departments, he declined to give approval.
“He [Judge Ketlogetswe] was extremely incensed and demanded to know on whose advice his request was declined. I stood my ground and he stopped talking to me for some time.”The Chief Justice stated that, “I have prefaced my answer to the accusation levelled against me by giving this brief background to ensure that your Excellency will understand the type of person we are dealing with. I will now address the fabrication against me to show that Judge Ketlogetswe’s story is a complete fabrication based on what he calls ‘grey propaganda’ wherein he mixes the truth with falsehoods to support the narrative he wants to propagate.”
It emerges from the letter that Justice Ketlogetswe had been pushing for a salary increase for judges and was even lobbying Minister of State Presidency, Kabo Morwaeng.Justice Ketlogetswe has fingered Minister Morwaeng as one of the high ups who tried to influence him to remand former minister Thapelo Matsheka in custody.On the allegation made by Judge Ketlogetswe that the Chief Justice made reference to the four percent increment for the judges, Chief Justice Rannowane says he does not recall asking Judge Ketlogetswe about the Judges increment.“
But if I did so I cannot apologize for it because he gave me an impression that he had connection with powerful people and that I can depend on him to push for our 4%.”The Chief Justice says he has been following the 4% increase for the Judges with no success.“
Without any request on my part Judge Ketlogetswe told me some time back that he speaks directly to Minister Kabo Morwaeng. He further said he inquired about the 4% and he got information that they are working on it. I did not doubt him. I therefore ask him from time to time how far the process is,” says the Chief Justice.
