07 Apr 2014

Traditionally, in Setswana culture, a kgotla serves as a place where justice is dispensed. This is symbolised by its structure, for instance, the horse-shoed structure made of wooden poles.

Most customary courts in Botswana have imposing structures that were used in the past as holding cells. The structures’ relevance has been surpassed by time though they are nostalgic reminders of the importance of a kgotla.

Speaking in an interview recently Kgosi Seeletso Pule of Gabane explained that there were certain factors that led to the demise of holding cells in customary courts. Kgosi Pule said holding cells played a major role in detention of suspected criminals and other unscrupulous social elements.

He outlined the main use of holding cells being dispensing justice objectively and keeping the community at peace. According to Kgosi Pule, kgotla structures such as holding cells had not totally lost their meaning as they still served as reminders of how and where justice was dispensed.

He said holding cells had been surpassed by time following the merger of local and central police. He further noted that holding cells, despite being a critical component of communities in the past, their relevance had been overtaken by time.  Kgosi Pule argued that the cells were not habitable.

“The small structures without any toilets, and many of them without any necessities that the detainee would use such as blankets were not offered,” he said.

In his view, the commanding structures usually represent a dividing line between two distinct eras, the then and now. He noted that with such structures the coming generation can take collective responsibility and get in depth understanding of the roots of culture and the kgotla itself.

Commenting on the use of holding cells found in customary courts such as Gabane, he said they have remained splendidly in the compound without any role to play.

He stated that with no alternative the Village Development Committee (VDC) refurbished the structure which will soon be turned into a storeroom. Kgosi Pule argued that despite their demise, holding cells should always be reminisced as they form the memory lane of how the kgotla was used in the past. ENDS