Report

Promoting the Effectiveness of Democracy Protection Institutions in Southern Africa Office of the Ombudsman in Botswana

“This research explores the performance and effectiveness of the Office of the Ombudsman in Botswana, which is one of the country’s democracy protection institutions (DPIs). The office was established in 1995 through
an Act of Parliament to investigate matters related to maladministration in Botswana. This research suggests that the institutional and legal framework
establishing the Office of the Ombudsman does not adequately support and empower the office to fulfil its mandate successfully. For example, respondents stated that the office does not have enforceable powers, for
instance, to make binding recommendations, especially where government departments fail to implement recommendations for remedial action.”