Botswana
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- parliamentary republic
- CONSTITUTION
- September 30, 1966
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on Roman and Dutch law and customary law
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, House of Representatives (House of Chiefs) and National Assembly (National Assembly)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- High Court, Court of Appeal, and Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)
RELIGIONS
71.6% Christians, 6% Badimo, Other
From the country
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026BotswanaDEATH PENALTYBotswana: man sentenced to death for killing Korean national 10 years ago
DECEMBER 20, 2023BotswanaDEATH PENALTYBOTSWANA: CHILD-KILLER CONDEMNED TO DEATH
The Gaborone High Court has sent a convicted child rapist and murderer to the gallows. Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane sentenced Ramatshwiri Mokobela to death on December 14, 2023 for killing a five-year-old girl-child in the Ghanzi District area.
- SEPTEMBER 20, 2023BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
BOTSWANA: CHILD RAPIST, MURDERER SENTENCED TO DEATH
A 38-year-old Sashemooke man who raped and murdered the daughter of his live-in lover was sentenced to death on August 24, 2023 for the offence in Botswana.
MAY 12, 2022BotswanaDEATH PENALTYBOTSWANA: HERDER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR WOMAN'S HACKING
A 27-year-old man of Sefhophe village was on 11 May 2022 sentenced to death for hacking the wife of his employer to death with an axe.
JUNE 14, 2021BotswanaDEATH PENALTYBOTSWANA: MAN EXECUTED OVER 2011 MURDERS OF HIS GIRLFRIEND AND CHILD
Botswana on 11 June 2021 carried out the execution of a man who murdered his girlfriend and young son in 2011.
FEBRUARY 9, 2021BotswanaDEATH PENALTYBOTSWANA: TWO MEN HANGED FOR MURDER
Botswana on 8 February 2021 hanged two men convicted of murder.
- MARCH 30, 2020BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
BOTSWANA: TWO MEN EXECUTED FOR MURDER
Botswana on 28 March 2020 executed two men convicted of murder.
FEBRUARY 24, 2020BotswanaDEATH PENALTYBOTSWANA: CONVICT EXECUTED DESPITE OUTCRY
Botswana has hanged a 29-year old man for murdering his employer, prison services announced on 21 February 2020, despite mounting calls by rights groups to abolish the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2020BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been on the books in Botswana since its independence from Great Britain in 1966.
The death penalty has been on the books in Botswana since its independence from Great Britain in 1966.
DECEMBER 4, 2019BotswanaDEATH PENALTYBOTSWANA: 44-YEAR-OLD MAN HANGED FOR MURDERING HIS EMPLOYER
Botswana on 2nd December 2019 hanged a 44-year-old man for murdering his boss, prisons services announced, despite mounting criticism from rights groups and the European Union.
- JUNE 12, 2019BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
BOTSWANA DECRIMINALISES HOMOSEXUALITY
Botswana's High Court on 11 June 2019 overturned a law criminalizing consensual same-sex relations in a landmark victory for Africa's LGBTQ movements.
FEBRUARY 12, 2019BotswanaDEATH PENALTYBOTSWANA: FOUR CONVICTED MURDERERS TO HANG
The Court of Appeal on 8 February 2019 confirmed the death sentences of four men convicted of killing a cab driver in Gaborone and a Gantsi farm owner respectively.