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Legal Duality: Conflict or Concord in Botswana?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2009

Extract

This paper is concerned with the relationship that exists between Customary and Common law in Botswana. Does it promote conflict or concord? This will be explored with reference to the general relationship between the two systems and in the particular context of marriage, divorce and division of property. One may argue for the conflict approach if one views the systems as ppositional or one may argue that there is concord by acquiescence, given the subordinate position occupied by Customary law within the national legal system of Botswana. The aim of this paper is to do neither, but rather, to show that “duality” with its implications of separateness is inappropriate, that the two systems are linked and have a symbiotic relationship, one which involves a process of mutual adaptation. The aim of this paper is to show that any conflict or concord that exists should not be defined in terms of systems viewed as independent isolated units or in terms of labels such as “Common” or “Customary” law but rather in terms of values which relate to mode of life and attach themselves to certain kinds of property. Within the national legal system of Botswana Customary and Common law co-exist. Customary law is defined as being “in relation to any particular tribe or tribal community the customary law of that tribe or tribal community so far s it is not incompatible with the provisions of any written law or contrary tomorality, humanity or natural justice”.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © School of Oriental and African Studies 1983

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References

1 Customary Law Act, s.2Google Scholar.

3 Ibid., s.4.

4 Customary Courts Act, s.12.

5 Ibid., s. 14.

6 Leswape v. Leswape, High Court, 1976Google Scholar.

7 The results of this research were presented in a Report deposited with the National Institute of Research in Gaborone, 04, 1982Google Scholar.

8 In Moisakamo v. Moisakamo (cited as High Court 1978)Google Scholar.

9 Matrimonial Causes Act, s. 14.

10 Ibid., s.15.

11 Ibid., s.13.

12 Ibid., s.25.

13 Dicta to that effect in Moisakamo v. Moisakamo.

14 Moisakamo, p. 16Google Scholar.

15 A Handbook of Tswana Law and Custom, London, 1970Google Scholar.

16 Restatement of African Law: Botswana 1 Tswana Family Law, London, 1972Google Scholar.

17 Busang v. Busang, MO 378/82.

18 Roberts, op. cit., 155.

19 Schapara, op. cit., 160.

20 Mombala v. Mombala, 1976, 31Google Scholar.

21 Sebele v. Subele, High Court 1977, 55Google Scholar.

22 Badulala v. Bodulala, High Court 1979, 103Google Scholar.

23 Rilley v. Rilley, High Court 1979, 100Google Scholar.

24 High Court 1975, 22Google Scholar.