The Government of Botswana has taken a significant step in strengthening public administration through the Judges’ Workshop on the Public Service Act No. 5 of 2026 and Conditions of Service held in Gaborone. The two-day engagement, running from 26 to 27 May 2026, was officially opened by the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa. The workshop brought together members of the Judiciary and key stakeholders from across the public sector. It focused on how the new law will shape public service operations and labour relations in the country. The gathering set the tone for deeper discussions on reform, accountability and institutional alignment.
The Public Service Act No. 5 of 2026 has been presented as a major governance reform aimed at improving how public institutions function. It is designed to rebuild public trust by making service delivery more efficient, transparent and fair. The law also seeks to strengthen clarity around conditions of service for public officers, reducing uncertainty in employment frameworks. Government officials view the Act as a tool to improve discipline and performance across the public sector. It places emphasis on dignity and fairness, ensuring that public servants operate within a clear and consistent system.
In his keynote address, Minister Moeti Mohwasa stressed that the public service directly affects citizens in their daily lives. He explained that the system is not abstract, but is experienced through nurses in hospitals, teachers in schools, clerks in offices, police officers on duty and social workers in communities. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that these services are delivered in a way that respects both the public and the workers providing them. He also noted that the Judiciary plays a central role in ensuring that the implementation of the Act remains grounded in constitutional principles. According to him, fairness and reason must guide how the law is interpreted and applied.
Chief Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe welcomed the workshop as an important platform for engagement between arms of government. He emphasized that the Judiciary, Executive and Legislature do not operate in isolation and must work within a coordinated framework. He reaffirmed that the role of the courts is to interpret and apply the law, but stressed that effective justice delivery requires adequate institutional support. He raised concern about resource constraints affecting the Judiciary’s ability to fulfil its mandate fully. He appealed to government to address these challenges to strengthen the justice system and improve efficiency.
The workshop is expected to equip judges with a deeper understanding of the Public Service Act and its implications for labour law and public administration. It provides an opportunity to align judicial interpretation with the objectives of the new legal framework. The discussions also aim to ensure consistency in how disputes and service conditions are handled under the Act. By bringing key stakeholders together, the workshop supports stronger cooperation between institutions responsible for governance and justice. The outcomes are expected to contribute to a more efficient, fair and transparent public service system that better serves citizens across Botswana.
