UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA

DEPARTMENT OF LAW
SEMESTER TWO: 2022/2023
CUSTOMARY LAW - LAW 106
COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTORS:

DR O B TSHOSA(BLOCK 230/OFFICE 210)

EMAIL ADDRESS: tshosao@ub.ac.bw

NDZINGE-MAKHAMISA T S (CONVENOR) (BLOCK 230/0FFICE 124)

EMAIL ADDRESS: ndzingemakhamisat@ub.ac.bw

OFFICE CONSULTATION TIMES:MWF 10AM-1PM

1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The course introduces the student to the sources and nature of customary or
indigenous law as a part of the Botswana legal system. It explores the historical
development of the “dual” or plural legal system in Botswana and challenges that face
customary law. It locates the status and position of customary law vis a vis the received
law. It further explores in outline selected topics or areas of the operation and
application of customary law in contemporary Botswana. Comparative expositions of
or regarding law in Africa and other societies will be highlighted in general to establish
these aims.

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES/ COMPETENCIES/OUTCOMES/EXPECTATIONS:

a) Familiarize or provide a critical understanding of the nature and challenges facing

customary law in Botswana.
b) To equip students with skills to find, analyze and evaluate customary law material in
context.

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 c) Explore and distinguish the different parts of the customary or indigenous legal system
in Botswana.
d) Evaluate in outline the extent and scope of change to customary law and processes
over time in light of the socio-economic development patterns.
e) Evaluate and critique in outline, the relationship between the common law and
customary law in Botswana.
f) Explore in outline comparative practices and processes from selected Southern African
countries regarding approaches to the nature and challenges facing customary law.

3. TEACHING

The teaching shall consist of three seminars per week. An outline of the seminar
programme and the detailed syllabus are set out below. To improve student’s problem
solving and research skills the course shall combine the Socratic Method with field
work and group discussions.

4. ASSESSMENT

Assessment shall consist of two or more pieces of Continuous Assessment and a final
written examination. The Continuous Assessment will consist of two written tests and
or assignments or group work. The ratio of the examination to the Continuous
Assessment shall be 60:40 or any other ratio as may be determined and after
consultation with the students.

5. READING

You are recommended to acquire a textbook and the relevant statutes. Please do make
sure you acquire the latest edition of the relevant work. The basic texts are Isaac
Schapera’s A Handbook of Tswana Law and Custom (1938), reissued 1994) and
Comaroff and Roberts Rules and Processes: The cultural logic of dispute in an African
context (1981). The former text should be available from the bookstore while the latter
may be in the Library. The rest of the readings may be found in the Botswana
collection or on the open shelves.

Revelant Statutes:

Constitution of Botswana
Chieftainship Act Cap 41:01
Customary Courts Act Cap 04:05
Customary Law Act 1Cap 16:01

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Renamed in the 2000 revision of laws. Formerly called Common Law and Customary Law Act Cap 16:01.

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 Marriage Act 20002Cap 29:01
Dissolution of African Marriages (Disposal of Property) Act Cap 29:06
Tribal Land Act cap 32:02

6. SEMINAR PROGRAMME

The following topics will be covered in the course. Please note that the precise order
and content of these topics may be subject to alteration. The figure in indicated in the
brackets represents the number of seminars to be spent on each topic. Note that, this
is just an estimate only.

SECTION A

THE LEGAL NATURE OF CUSTOMARY LAW

a) Historical background
b) Political organization
c) The nature and content of Customary Law
d) What is customary Law?
a. Characteristics of customary law
b. Customary law in Botswana as ‘Tswana Law’ (Ngwato and
Kgatla law etc): Implications and challenges
c. The authenticity or legitimation of customary law; law vs
custom, sources of customary law.
d. The various meanings attached to customary law, and their
implications; peoples customary law or living law, official
customary law (courts, legislators).
e) Sources of customary law

Readings:

1. M Channock Law, Custom and Social Order: The Colonial Experience of

Malawi and Zambia (1998).
-Chapter 1—“Social and Legal History in Colonial Africa.”
2. G R Woodman, “Some Realism About Customary Law- The West African
Experience” (1969) Wisconsin Law Review 128-152 (reprinted in Folk Law:

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Introduced the compulsory registration of customary marriages.
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 Essays in the theory and Practice of Lex Non Scripta (ed) Alison Dundes Reneln
and Alan Dundes (1994) Volume 1, pp 83-110.)
3. G O Radijeng, Customary Law and Gender Equality: the lagal Status of
Women in Botswana D. Phil Thesis, University of Oxford 2004.
-Preface (p1-24); and
-Chapter 2, “Customary Law in Botswana: Past and Present
developments’ p 55-88. (Botswana collection).
4. J P B De Josselin De Jong,”Customary Law: A confusing Fiction ‘in Folk
Law: Essays in the Theory and Practice of Lex Non Scripta (ed) Alison
Dundes Renein and Alan Dundes (1994) Volume 1, pp 111-117.
5. W.M. Reisman, 1981 “Toward a General theory about African Law,Social
Change and Development” in Proceedings of the first All African Law
Conference, (ed) P.N Takirambudde.
6. A.J.G.M. Sanders, “The Characteristic Features of Southern African Law”
Comparative and International Journal of Southern Africa3 (1981).
7. D N Magang, “Customary Law as Administered in Botswana” in Report on
the Third Judicial Conference Held at the High Court – Lobatse 28-29 January
1981 (Government Printer edited by Violet O”Dwyer and Bankie Forster).
8. A L Molokomme, “Customary Law in Botswana: Past, Present and Future” In
Botswana in the 21st Century (ed) Sue Brothers et al (Botswana Society 1994).
9. SCHAPERA, Handbook of Tswana Law, Chapter 2
10. COMAROFF & ROBERTS, Rules and Processes, Chapter III
11. Petrus and Another v. The State 1984 BLR 14 (CA)
12. I SCHAPERA, HANDBOOK of Tswana Law: Chapter III.
-Central Government
-Local Administration
-Regimental Organisation
-Citizenship
13. GILLET, “The Survival of Chieftaincy in Botswana” 7 (1975) Botswana Notes
and Records 103.
14. S. GRANT, ”Reduced to nothing? Chieftaincy and a Traditional town” 12
(1980) Botswana Notes and Records.
15. Diana Wylie A little God: The Twilight of Patriarchy in a Southern African
Chiefdom (1984). Chapters: One and Two (pp18-99)
16. Bojosi Otlhogile: “Aspects of Administration of Justice in Colonial
Bechuanaland”……….

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CILSA
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 17. ________’’A History of Botswana Through Case Law” (1997) 11:1 Pula:
Journal of African Studies 82.
18. _______”Tshekedi Khama v The High Commissioner: The making of a Court
(1993) Botswana Notes and Records 29.
19. AJGM Sanders “Bechuanaland and the Law in Politicians’ Hands “Botswana
Society Occasional paper no.6 (Botswana Society, 1992)-

SECTION B

B1. THE “DUAL LEGAL SYSYTEM”

a) Definitions
b) Origins of the dual legal system
c) Nature and structure of the dual legal system
d) Organization of courts
e) Legal implications

1. The Foreign Jurisdiction Act 1890

2. The 1891 Order in Council
3. General Administration Proclamation 1891
4. Proclamation 36 of 1909.
5. Aguda,”Legal Development in Botswana 1885-1966” Botswana Notes and
Records4 (1973) 5:52.
6. A L Molokomme “The Reception of Roman Dutch Law in Botswana”
Lesotho Law Journal (1985) 121.
7. JH Pain, The reception of English and Roman-Dutch law in Africa with
reference to Botswana,Lesotho and Swaziland;
8. I Schapera, Handbook of Tswana Law, Chapter 16 (xxi)
9. Tribal government; See: Proclamation No 74 of 1934, as amended in 1943.
10. Tribal courts; See: Proclamations No. 1 of 1919, No 75 of 1934; as amended in
1943 and 1961.
11. Responses (s) to reform: Tshekedi Khama and Another v The High Commissioner
1926-53 HCTLR 9

B2. THE CONSEQUENCES OF LEGAL DUALISM

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BNR
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 1) Competing and often conflicting jurisdictions: choice of law and choice
of court between customary and received systems.

(i) Origin of the problerm;

(ii) Judicial and legislative solutions in general, especially private law
matters.

Readings:
A. Molokomme, Children of the fence
Chapter 10, ‘Interaction Between Customary and state Law: Strategic Use of the
two systems in Kanye”
R D Kollewijn,”Conflicts of Western Law and Non – Western Law” The
International Law Quarterly 4 (1951) 307-325 (reprinted in Folk Law: Essays in
the Theory and Practice of Lex Non Scripta (ed) Alison Dundes Reneln and Alan
Dundes (1994) Volume 2,p775-793)
E G Unsworth, “The Conflict of Laws in Africa” The Rhodes-Livingstone Journal
2 (1944) 49-55 (reprinted in Folk Law: Essays in the Theory and Practice of Lex
Non Scripta (ed) Alison Dundes Reneln and Alan Dundes (1994) Volume 2, 795-
803)---------
J Lewin,”The Interaction of English law and Common law in South Africa” South
African Law Journal 5 (1941) vol 58 p 365-374).
F A Ajayi,”The Interaction of Enlgish law with Customary law in Western
Nigeria” Journal of African law6 (1960) 4 p 40-50, 98-114.
T W Bennett, ”Conflict of Law in South Africa: Cases involving Customary law”
Tydskrif vir Hedendaagse Romeins-Hollandse Reg7(1980) p27-38.
M O Hinz, Customary Law in Namibia (CASS 1995) Working Document No 28
Angu v Attah 1916 P C 74
Customary Law Act Cap 16:04

SECTION C

CUSTOMARY COURT STRUCTURE AND APPLICABILITY OF CUSTOMARY

LAW.

1. Statutory definitions
2. Applicability
3. Jurisdiction of the courts
4. Judicial Ascertainment

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Acronym:SALJ
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Acronym:JAL
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Journal of Contemporary Roman-Dutch law. Acronym:THRHR.
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 See:
Native Courts Proclamation 1934
African Courts Proclamation 1943.
Customary Courts Act Cap 04:05
Customary Law Act Cap 16:04

Readings:

CMG Himsworth: The Botswana Customary Law Act, 1969” 16 (1972) JAL 6.
(WILL, Laws of Botswana”).
Simon Roberts, “The Survival of the Traditional Tswana Courts in the National
Legal system of Botswana” 16 (1972) JAL 103.
I.G.Brewer,”A note on the Botswana Customary Courts (Amendments) Act 1972” 6
(1973) CILSA 282.
C M Fombad, “Customary Courts and Traditional Justice in Botswana: Present
Challenges and future perspectives” Stellenbosch Law Journal vol 15, no 1 2004.
A.L Molokomme, Children of the fence, Chapter 2—“The Judicial and legal system
of Botswana.”
B Otlhogile, A history of the Higher Courts.Chapter.1
_______________”Assessors and the Administration of justice”1995 BNR 77.
Mpopi Maoto (nee Motsumi) v Fernando Matsela Maoto High Court of Botswna
(Lobatse) Criminal Appeal No.10/20018. (Delivered 7 May 2004/Chatikobo j).
Mafokate v. Mafokate 2000 (2) BLR 430 (HC)9
Tshepo Mbenge Mosiienyane v Lesetedinyana Lesetedi & Others High Court of
Botswana (Francistown) Misca no F257/2005 (delivered 11 November
2005/Masuku J).

Bogatsu v Bogatsu and Another (1987) BLR 496

Kweneng Land Board v Kabelo Lister Matlho (1992) BLR 292 (CA)
Kweneng Land Board v Daniel Selaki and Paphani Sekgome10High Court of Botswana
(Lobatse) Civil Case No 2053/2003 (delivered 7 May 2004/Chatikobo).
Molefe v Seketeme (1992) BLR 226
Letsholo v Sete [1998] B.L.R. 676

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Appeals from Customary courts to High Court must exhaust hierarchy of customary courts.
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Jurisdiction of the High Court over Customary marriages – divorce
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Proof of customary law change the need for evidence establishing that customary law had changed to
accommodate modern demands. Cf to Kabelo Matlho case – distinguished in this case.
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 Tokoyame v Bok 2008 (1) BLR 384 (CA)
Molefi Silabo Ramantele v Edith Modipane Mmusi & Ors CACGB -104-12
(unreported)
Bone Kealeboga & Ano v Tidimalo Mercy Kehumile & Ano CACGB – 045-13
(unreported)
Himonga, C & C Bosch. 2000. “The application of African customary law
under the Constitution of South Africa: Problems solved or just beginning?”. South
African Law Journal, 117:306ff.
Mosii v Motseoakhumo 1954 (3) SA 919 (A) at 930.
Mokala v Nkombombini & Ano 2006 5 SA 524

SECTION D

SELECTED CONTEMPORARY SUBSTANTIVE LAW

1) TSWANA LAND LAW

1. Historical account
2. Developments

See:
The Tribal Land Act 32:02

Readings:

Kabelo Lister Matlho v Kweneng Land Board (1992) BLR .

Kweneng Land Board v Daniel Selaki ans Paphani Sekgome11 High Court of Botswana (Lobatse)
Misca no 590/2000 (delivered 17 August 2001/Collins P – Acting Judge).
Molefe v Seketeme (1992) BLR 226
Ditira Gaoetswe v Keleomile Tebele and 23 others12 High Court of Botswana (Lobatse) Misca no
590/2000 (delivered 17th August 2001/Collins P – Acting Judge).

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Proof of custoamry land law-change the need for evidence establishing that customary law had changed
to accommodate modern demands. Cf to Kabelo Matlho case – distinguish in this case.
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Water rights (Borehole) – whether adjoining land belongs to the holder of water rights in communal/tribal
land area.

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Kweneng Land Board v Bosele Sydicate and 7 Others Civ App 28/1998

I. SCHAPERA, Handbook of Tswana Law, Chapter XI

_____________, History of Tribal Land Settlement: The study of Tswana Land Tenure
(Botswana Collection).
_________, “Native Land Tenure in the Bechuanaland Protectorate” (Botswana collection).
S. ROBERTS, “A Restatement of the Kgatla law of land and natural resources” (Botswana
collection).
R.P. Werbner, Land Reform in the Making: Tradition, Public Policy and Ideology in
Botswana

R.K. Hitchcock, “Water, Land and Livestock: The evolution of Tenure And Administration
Patterns in the Grazing Areas of Botswana” in L A Picard ed, The Evolution of Modern
Botswana pp 84-121
O. Gulbrandsen, When Land Becomes Scarce: Access to agricultural Land and Communal
land Management in Eastern Botswana
Clement Ng’ong’ola, “Land Problems in some peri-urban villages in Botswana” 1992 JAL
140.
______________”Legal and Practical Problems in the Administration of Tribal Land in
Botswana” Paper presented at the conference on Human Rights and Democracy 17-19
November 1998- Gaborone (Ditshwanelo: The Botswana Centre for Human Rights) 168-
178.

2) FAMILY LAW

1. Marriage; and
2. Property Division on Divorce
3. Wrecking a marriage
See:
Marriage Act Cap 29:01
Dissolution of African Marriages (Disposal of property) Act Cap 29:06

Readings:
Dorcas Makone v Lesego Ntshipane (F513/1993 Aboagje) unreported)
The Attorney General v. Unity Dow 1992 BLR 1
Molefi Mphoyakgosi v Keitshekile Jakoba (1997) BLR 6
Mafokate v. Mafokate 2000 (2) BLR 430 (HC)
Moisakamo v. Moisakamo (2) 1981 BLR 126 (CA)
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Semakaleng Mokonyane v. The Estate of the Late Boniface Malope and Another MAHLB- 000192-09
Mmitsi v Motshegwe CAHLB-000056-09
Mabuane v. Mokgweetsi 2011 1 BLR 365 HC

G O Radijeng,”Customary law and Gender Equality: The legal Status of Women in

Botswana” D, Phil Thesis, University of Oxford 2004.
-Chapter 4 ---“Gender and Women in Social Relationships at Customary Law” p138-
192,
-Chapter 5---“Women, Property Rights and Practice: The Distribution of Property on
Divorce at Customary law: p 193-238.

3) TSWANA LAW ON INHERITANCE

1. Introduction to inheritance law

2. General rules of inheritance
3. Treatment of certain groups
a. Children of marriage/ extra marital children
b. Last born and first born children
c. Male and female children
d. Adopted children

Administration of Estate Act Cap 31:01

Law of Inheritance Act Cap 31:02
Succession) Right of surviving spouse and inheritance Family Provisions) Act Cap 31:03
Dissolution of African Marriages (Disposal of Property) Act Cap 29:06

Readings:
Tape v. Matoso 2007 (1) BLR 512 (CA)
Hendrick v. Tsawe 2008 3 BLR 447 HC
Mmusi & Ors v. Ramantele & Ors MAHLB 000836-10
Matlhodi v Makwapa Misca F46/1995.
Milly Mphoeng v Oteng Mphoeng 1926 – 53 HCTLR 100,108.
Oratle v Tshekedi Khama 1930
Mokalake & Ors v Tshenkego & Ano (199) BLR 22.

I. SCHAPERA, Handbook of Tswana law, Chapter XIII

S. ROBERTS, ”Restatement of Law of the law of succession: Bangwato and Balete”
COMAROFF & ROBERTS, Rules & Processes, chapter 6”Property Devolution and the
definition of kinship relations”

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B. Otlhogile,”The Law of Inheritance in Botswana” in Inheritance Laws in Southern
Africa (19) WLSA13 pp1-16.

SECTION E

CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES:

(1) Continuing Conflict situations;

Susan Mashabane v James Molosankwe Misca 422/1997, High Court of Botswana (Lobatse) –
also refered to and discussed in G O Radijeng (D.Phil Thesis) pp 69 and 231.
Tidimalo Jokase v Gaelebale Mpho Seakgosing & Another, High Court of Botswana (Lobatse)
MAHLB-000661-10 (delivered 10 February 2010/Lesetedi J).
Monica Tirelo v The Attorney General, High Court of Botswana (Lobatse) MAHLB-0004051-06
(delivered 22 September 20006/Kirby J).
Kgafela Kgafela & Others v The State, High Court of Botswana (Lobatse) CLHLB-000661-10;
CMMVL 000098-10 (delivered 11 March 2011/ Justcices Lesetedi, Dibotelo & Letsididi).

(2) Judicial ascertainment of customary law;

Kweneng Land Board v Kabelo Lister Matlho & Pheto 1991 BLR 292 (Botswana Court of Appeal).
Tshoganetso Ramoroka v Gofhaone Bonno Review case number 103 of 2000 (Molepolole
Customary Court CRB 416/1999), cited in full and discussed in G O Radijeng, ”Customary
law and Gender Equality: The legal status of Women in Botswana “D.Phil Thesis, University
of Oxford 2004, pp 181 et seq and also at 281.
Mmusi & Ors v. Ramantele & Ors MAHLB 000836-10

(3) Codification and Law Reform;

B.J. Van Nierkek “Customary Law in Botswana: Substitution or daptation?” 3 (1970)

Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern African 242 ff.

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Women and the Law in Southern Africa (Botswana). This research project has undertaken extensive
research into current issues and challenges at customary law and common law that affect the lives of women
and the girl child. Other titles by the same house appear in the bibliography.Women and the Law in
Southern Africa(Botswana). This research project has undertaken extensive research into current issues
and challenges at customary law and common law that affect the lives of women and the girl child. Other
titles by the same house appear in the bibliography.
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S. Roberts “The recording of customary law: Some problems of method” 3 (1971) Botswna
Notes and Records 12.
A.N.Allott,”Reforming the law in Africa- aims, difficulties and techniques” in Southern
Africa in need of law Reform (Ed) AJGM Sanders 1981.
A.J.G.M. Sanders “In search of disciplined law reform “in Southern Africa in need of Law
Reform (ed) A.J.G.M. Sanders 1981.
Gardioil Jeanne van Niekerk, “Indigenous Law and the Constitutional Right to Equal
Protection and Benefit of the Law” in The Rights of Indigenous People: A Quest for
Coexistence (ed) Bertus De Villiers, (HSRC Pretoria 1997) p 207-247.

______________,”Indigenous law and narrative: Rethinking methodology” 32 (1999) CILSA

208-227.

(4) Customary Law and Human Rights (gender) equality, ethnic equality
and self-determination.

G.O Radijeng,”Customary Law and Gender Equality: The Legal Status of Women in
Botswana” D.Phil Thesis, University of Oxford 2004.
Preface, p 1-24;
Chapter 1-“Gender Equality and the Law in Botswana: Issues and challenges at
Customary law”p 25-54;
Chapter 6- “Customary Law and Human Rights: Beyond Rights
Talk and Culture Talk” p 239-286;
and chapter7-“Conclusions and Recommendations’p288-302.
AMO Griffiths in the Shadow of Marriage: Gender and Justice in an African Community
(University of Chicago Press London 1997). Preface, Chapter 1.
R C Howell, “The Otieno Case: African Customary law versus Western jurisprudence”
Southern University Law Review (1989) vol 16 p 231-248 (reprinted in Folk Law: Essays in
the Theory and Practice of Lex Non Scripta (ed) Alison Dundes Reneln and Alan Dundes
(1994) Volume 2, p 827-844).
J W Van Doren, “Death African Style: The Case of S.M Otieno” American Journal of
Comparative law (1988) vol 36 p329-350.
Shikati Calvin Keene Kamanakao I and others v Attorneys General of Botswana Misca
377/1999(Botswana High Court)

(5) Chieftainship in the 21st Century in Botswana

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Gaseitsiwe v The Attorney General (1996) BLR 54 (CA).14
J. Parson ed, Succession to High Office in Botswana pp 407-443
Tshekedi Khama, Political Change in African Society: A study of the Development of
Representative Government (Africa Bureau London 1956) (Botswana collection).
I Schapera, Tribal Innovators: Tswana Chiefs and Social Change (Atlhlone Press London
1970).
J.H Proctor, “The House of Chiefs and the Political Development of Botswana” 6 Journal of
Modern African Studies (1968) 59-79
Chiefs, Power and Social Change: Chieftainship and Modern Politics in Botswana 1880s-
1990s (2003) BDS Collection.
Wazha G Morapedi, “Demise or Resilience: Customary Law and the Changing Order in
Africa: The Case of Chieftainship in Botswana”.
F.B.Nyamnjoh “Might and Right: Chieftainship and Democracy in Cameroon and
Botswana” Paper presented at the 10th General Assembly Council of Social ScienceResearch
in Africa, on the theme Africa in the new Millenium,Kampala,Uganda,8-12 December 2002).
G.A Sekgoma, “The Nature, Structure and Functions of Chieftainship in Contemporary
Botswana: Possibilities for Democratization” in Sue Brothers et al, Botswana in the 21st
Century (1994).

END

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Chief of tribe –Suspension of Powers of Minister-whether chief a fit and proper person-Chieftainship
Act, s12.
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