HIGH COURT JAILS LEGAL ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT

UNCLAS GABORONE 001268

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

AF/S FOR MUNCY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV BC SAN CKGR
SUBJECT: HIGH COURT JAILS LEGAL ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT

REFERENCE: GABORONE 1228, GABORONE 913


1. (U) In a dramatic turn of events, Botswana's High
Court jailed for contempt the Special Advisor to the
President Sidney Pilane, who is the State's lead counsel
in the court case challenging its policy of relocating
San and other minorities out of the Central Kalahari Game
Reserve. During hearings on Thursday, September 1,
Justice Dibotelo ruled a question posed by Pilane to his
witness inadmissible. Pilane demanded to know the reason
behind this ruling. When Justice Dow advised Pilane to
stand while the court addrssed him, Pilane declined.
She then sentenced Pilane to four days in jail. Pilane
spent the weekedin jail and apologized to the court
when hearigs resumed on Monday, September 5.


2. (SBU) Ths intemperate outburst is consistentwith
Pilane's earlier behavior (Refs A and B). Significantly,
however, it also demonstrates that the judges have
refused to supinely surrender their authority in view of
Pilane's position as Special Advisor to the President.
The unwillingness of the executive to intervene and bail
out Pilane speaks to its respect for the independence of
the judiciary. Although the judges have allowed Pilane
to prolong the proceedings on some times flimsy grounds -
- e.g. the recent trip to Gope (Ref A) -- it cannot be
said that the trial has been patently unfair.


3. (U) In a related incident, Botswana's Department of
Wildlife and National Parks has restricted access to the
CKGR following the reported outbreak of sarcoptic mange
among livestock of those who surreptitiously returned to
the Reserve. This is not to be confused, however, with
the denial of an application by members of First People
of the Kalahari to visit the CKGR in early August, which
occurred before the outbreak of this contagious disease
(Ref A).

BIO NOTE


4. (U) Sidney Pilane became the first Special Advisor to
the President in September 2001. In this position, he
advises the President, Vice President and other senior
officials on legal, administrative and political matters.
Previously, Pilane practiced law in Botswana and South
Africa from 1997 to 2001. Between 1997 and 1998, Pilane
was Chief Director and Special Advisor to the Minister of
Justice in South Africa. From 1983 to 1996, Pilane
practiced law as a private attorney in Botswana.


5. (U) Pilane received a Bachelor of Laws degree from
the University of Botswana and Swaziland in conjunction
with the University of Edinburgh in 1983. He later
completed a MBA at the University of Botswana in 1994.


6. (U) Pilane had been active in the Botswana Democratic
Party (BDP) Youth Wing before competing in a BDP primary
for the Kgatleng East constituency prior to the 1999
election. After losing that contest, Pilane left active
participation in party politics.


7. (U) Pilane was born on May 31, 1958. He is married
and has two children.


8. (SBU) According to a former employee of Pilane's, he
is close to Vice President Khama and, therefore, likely
to remain a person of some influence in the next
administration.

AROIAN


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