🇧🇼BotswanaSouthern Africa
Attorney General Dick Bayford urges proactive approach to government litigation to reduce costs
via Mmegi1 min read
Attorney General Dick Bayford has highlighted the increasing financial burden of government litigation, advocating for a shift from reactive dispute management to proactive prevention. Speaking at a workshop on the Public Service Act No. 5 of 2026 and conditions of service, organized by the Directorate of Public Service Management DPSM, Bayford emphasized that the current method of addressing legal issues only after they emerge is unsustainable. He stated that an effective government lawyer is one who prevents disputes from arising, rather than merely winning cases in court, stressing the need to prevent governance failures before they lead to litigation.
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The Court of Appeal CoA in Botswana has ruled in favor of Nova Africa in the legal dispute over the sale of Mupane Gold Mine, setting aside a High Court interdict previously secured by Ulsan Botswana. The CoA judges criticized Ulsan Botswana, referring to them as a "grumpy loser intent on frustrating the liquidation process." The legal battle began last year after creditors approved the sale of the mine to Nova Africa for $21 million. Ulsan Botswana, a rival bidder, had offered an upfront $500,000 and up to P10 million pending further assessment. Ulsan had secured an interdict in October, citing technical irregularities in the award to Nova. The CoA bench upheld the appeal filed by the liquidator, Kopanang Thekiso, and Nova Africa, and set aside the interim interdict with costs.
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