Attorney General Advocates for Proactive Legal Governance

Attorney General Dick Bayford has called for a fundamental shift from reactive litigation to proactive governance within Botswana's public sector. Speaking at a workshop on the Public Service Act No. 5 of 2026, Bayford emphasized the need to prevent disputes before they arise, highlighting that managing litigation after governance failures is unsustainable. He revealed that in 2023, the Attorney General’s Chambers handled 5,221 cases with only 37 attorneys, averaging approximately 141 cases per officer. Bayford stressed that early legal engagement during policy formulation, procurement decisions, contract drafting, and disciplinary processes is essential to avoid costly litigation. He also identified recurring weaknesses in the public service, such as outdated policies and inadequate record-keeping, and announced measures like seconding legal officers to ministries to strengthen legal governance. Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana, commended the judiciary's professionalism and urged stakeholders to ensure the law serves the people of Botswana fairly and with integrity.