The Botswana Kgotla System: a Mechanism for Traditional Conflict Resolution in Modern Botswana
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The Botswana Kgotla System: A mechanism for Traditional Conflict Resolution in modern Botswana. Case study of the Kanye Kgotla PIWANE CONSTANCE MOUMAKWA Master’s Thesis in Philosophy of Peace and Conflict Transformation Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education University of Tromsø Autumn 2010 The Botswana Kgotla System: A mechanism for Traditional Conflict Resolution in modern Botswana. Case study of the Kanye Kgotla PIWANE CONSTANCE MOUMAKWA Master’s Thesis in Philosophy of Peace and Conflict Transformation Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education University of Tromsø Autumn 2010 i Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It has been a long journey for this thesis accomplishment and now finally it is accomplished. It is through the following people I truly wish to express my gratitude for this accomplishment; my supervisor Ida Hydle – University of Tromsø who worked tirelessly in making my dreams come true. Percy Oware- University of Tromsø for all the encouragement. Elisabeth Sanderson- Peace Centre. Charity B. Mucheregwa, Professor Osei- Zwede and Dr Maitseo Bolaane- University of Botswana who helped with the practicalities of getting into the field. Thank you. The staff in Kanye customary court and the headmen ( elderly men ) I sat with; acquiring in- depth knowledge on the Kgotla issue. Tanki bo Rre! My regards to all the participants in Kanye. Many thanks to Kgosi Mosadi Seboko and Kgosi Kgari Sechele on the knowledge you shared with me. My special thanks to Maleke’s (mme mma Tshegofatso ) family for hosting me. My dearest family; Cheneso Moumakwa for all the support, and to Godwill and Theodore for sacrificing the play time for mama’s work, wow! I remain grateful to Peace Centre University of Tromsø for the studies and financing part of my field work, the Norwegian government (Lånekassen) for the financial support throughout my entire study and the Nordiska African Institute (NAI) for the support and allowing me study at the institute. To God All Mighty be the glory! Tusen takk alle sammen! ii Abstract ABSTRACT Botswana with its republic status still has tribal leaders playing a vital role in the development and peaceful progress of its citizens. Chieftainship’s influence in modern Botswana continues to be fundamental to the government and community relations. The Kgotla (meeting place for the tribe) has continued to be central in giving a platform to individuals in exercising their democratic rights. This thesis seeks to look at the Kgotla role in Modern Botswana. The main objective of the thesis is to explore how the Kgotla is functioning and to explore the role it play in addressing conflict arising from within and between its communities in modern Botswana. The Kgotla has seen epitomizing dispute resolution among its local communities. In addition, the Kgotla has handled both civil and minor criminal cases that the Kgotla administer in its stipulated jurisdiction. Hence, this thesis has used restorative justice approach in relation to the ways in which the Kgotla adopts in efforts of preventing and solving community disputes. The data for this thesis was gathered during field work based in Kanye. Observations at the kgotla and oral interviews of tribal leaders and community members were done. The data has revealed that Bogosi (chieftainship) as an integral part of Tswana culture play an important role in promoting peace and stability in the country. It has a vital role in community building by providing a platform where people could come with their problems and with the hope of being helped. Apart from the Kgotla seen as the court or arbitration place; it is also the place for socialization and cultural activities. In conclusion, the observation is that Botswana Kgotla system has been able to mirror with modern developments in the country. It continues to play a role in disputes resolutions at community level. iii Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS __________________________________________________ii ABSTRACT _______________________________________________________________iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS _______________________________________________vii CHAPTER ONE ___________________________________________________________1 1.1 INTRODUCTION _______________________________________________________1 1. Historical and modern reflections on the Kgotla__________________________________3 1.2 The Statement of Research Problem__________________________________________5 1.3 Hypothesis______________________________________________________________8 1.4 Objective_______________________________________________________________8 1.5 Research Questions_______________________________________________________9 1.6 Relevance of the study_____________________________________________________9 CHAPTER TWO __________________________________________________________11 2.1Methodology____________________________________________________________11 2.1.2The geographical study sites______________________________________________11 Kanye____________________________________________________________________12 Molepolole________________________________________________________________13 Ramotswa_________________________________________________________________14 2.2 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION___________________ _________________14 2.2.1 Library Research_______________________________________________________15 2.2.2 Oral Interviews________________________________________________________15 2.2.3 Questionnaire_________________________________________________________16 2.2.4 Direct Observation_____________________________________________________16 2.3 Getting Ready for Field work in Botswana____________________________________17 2.3.1 Piloting______________________________________________________________18 2.3.2 Arriving in Kanye______________________________________________________18 2.3.3 Sampling Procedures____________________________________________________19 2.4 PRIMARY SOURCES __________________________________________________20 2.4.1 Oral interviews administration____________________________________________20 2.4.2 Administering Questionnaires_____________________________________________22 2.4.3 Doing Direct Observation________________________________________________23 2.5 RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY _________________________________________24 2.5.1 Reliability____________________________________________________________24 iv Table of Contents 2.5.2 Validity______________________________________________________________24 2.6 Personal reflections and Limitations_______________________________________25 2.7 Ethical Issues___________________________________________________________26 2.7.1 Confidentiality and Consent______________________________________________26 2.8 Conclusion____________________________________________________________27 CHAPTER THREE ________________________________________________________28 3.1 JUDICIAL PRACTICES IN BOTSWANA_________________________________28 3.1.1 The Roman Dutch Law/Common Law______________________________________30 3.1.2 Kgotla / customary Law Concept__________________________________________31 3.2 The head of the Kgotla and the head of the Kgotlana____________________________32 3.3 House of chiefs__________________________________________________________33 3.4 Conclusion_____________________________________________________________35 CHAPTER FOUR ________________________________________________________36 4.1CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK______________________36 4.1 Introduction____________________________________________________________36 4.2 Restorative Justice Concept/ Approach______________________________________36 4.3 Positive Approaches to Peace Building_______________________________________41 4.4 The theory of Community Building__________________________________________43 4.4.1 Definition of term____________________________________________________43 4.4.2 The Kgotla in relation to the theory of community building____________________45 4.5 Conclusion __________________________________________________________46 CHAPTER FIVE ________________________________________________________47 5.1 DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS _____________________47 Part 1 __________________________________________________________________47 5.2 Profile Analysis_______________________________________________________47 5.2.1 Age Disparities______________________________________________________48 5.2.2 Gender Disparities___________________________________________________49 5.2.3 Education and Occupation_____________________________________________50 Part 2 ___________________________________________________________________52 5.3 Kgotla Structure______________________________________________________52 5.3.1 Who Uses the Kgotla? ________________________________________________53 5.3.2 Examples of Cases tried in the Kgotla_____________________________________54 Proverbs surrounding the concept of Kgotla______________________________________59 v Table of Contents 5.4 ADJUDICATION AND MEDIATION _____________________________________60 5.4.1 The role of chiefs, headmen and the Jury in mediation________________________61 5.4.2 Reconciliation and Forgiveness of Individuals at the Kgotla____________________62 5.4.3 Restitution and Restoration as Moral Obligation in Community building___________64 5.4.4 Important Questions to the offender and victim before the resolution_____________68 5.4.5 Mitigation of offenders in cases requiring verdict by the chief__________________69 5.4.6 Obligations of the