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LAW 134 Course Outline 2023

Family law (University of Botswana)

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UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA

DEPARTMENT OF LAW

LAW 134 – FAMILY LAW

COURSE OUTLINE SEMESTER: II 2023

PRE-REQUISITE: LAW 133 – LAW OF PERSONS

LECTURES: THREE HOURS PER WEEK

LECTURER: T. JOBETA

OFFICE: BLOCK 230/118; TEL: 355 2342

EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

METHOD OF TEACHING

The course will be taught by means of viva voce lectures. Lectures are compulsory
and students may not be absent without a valid excuse. Students will be expected to
take their own notes during lectures and to supplement these by reading the
recommended textbooks and other source materials which will be pointed out during
the course of the semester. Students are expected to prepare for lectures by reading
prescribed topics and to assume responsibility for their own learning by independent
study of the topics detailed on the course outline. More cases may be given during the
course of the semester!!

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

The course will be continuously assessed during the semester by tests/assignments.

The times for such tests/assignments will be announced in advance during the course
of the semester. The continuous assessment will make up 40% of the final mark.
There will be a final conventional examination of 2 hours duration at the end of the
semester. The examination will make up 60% of the final mark. In both tests and
examinations, students should expect theory and problem-type questions with
emphasis on the latter type of questions. A moderator assesses the quality of both the
examination paper and the students’ answers.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the law governing marriage,
matrimonial causes and related matters. At the end of the course students should be
able to:
 Show an in-depth understanding of the basic principles underlying Family
Law.
 Explain the utility of Family Law.
 Evaluate the various laws that regulate family relations.

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 Recognise problem-solving contexts involving Family Law.

 Apply the knowledge gained to identify and solve practical problems.

PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOKS

EK Quansah Introduction to Family Law in Botswana

EK Quansah Family Law in Botswana: Cases, Materials and Commentaries

ADDITIONAL READING

Roberts, Tswana Family Law

Schapera, Handbook of Tswana Law and Custom
Sinclair, The Law of Marriage Vol. I
Hahlo, The South African Law of Husband and Wife 5th ed.

STATUTES

1. Marriage Act 2000

2. Matrimonial Causes Act 1973
3. Married Persons Property Act 1970
4. Married Persons Property Act 2014
5. Affiliation Proceedings Act 1970
6. Affiliation Proceedings (Amendment) Act 1999
6. Adoption Act 1952
7. Abolition of Marital Power Act 2004
8. Marriage (Forms) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 85 2004)

COURSE CONTENT

(a) Engagement

 Under the Customary law

 Under the Common law

Cases
Sekonopelo v Keetile 1958 HCTLR 88
Mafoko v Thaba [2002]2 BLR 48
Mathendele v Kenosi 2005 BLR 234
Kebatsholetse v Madzonga and Another 1989 BLR 414
Kegasitswe v Dikgomo [2001]1 BLR 272
Rodgers v Mokgethi [2008]1 BLR 57
Muchaile v Simwanza [2010]2 BLR 404
Ntshekang v Pule [2010]1 BLR 309
Setsogo v Sabubi [2002]1 BLR 142
Maswabi v Lepii ans Another [2010]1 BLR 734

(b) Customary marriage

 Essential requirements of customary marriage

 Consequences of the marriage

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 The relationship between husband and wife and their respective role in the family
 Property rights of spouses
 Dissolution of customary marriage
 Distribution of property and custody of children on divorce
 Cohabitation
 Assessment of the legal position of women

Cases

Motshosi v Mphale [2007]2 BLR 630

Mphoyakgosi v. Jakoba [1997] B.L.R. 604.
Mafokate v. Mafokate [2000] 2 BLR 430
Mashabane v. Molosankwe [2000] 1 BLR 185
Rebagamang v Ntwaetsile and Another [2008]3 21
Bathsani v Phegelo [2008] 2 BLR 323
Maoto v Maoto [2011] 2 BLR 136

(b) Statutory marriage

 Essentials of a valid marriage

 Formation and consequences of marriage – variable and invariable
 Annulment of marriage
 Divorce – grounds
 Ancillary reliefs – maintenance, division of property and custody of children

Cases
Motshosi v Mphale [2007] 2 BLR 630
Mazwiduma v Mazwiduma [2007]3 BLR 625

T. Jobeta and E.S Nwauche: Double Marriages in Botswana: Possibilities

Implications and Comparative Perspectives International Journal of Law, Policy
and the Family, Volume 29, Issue 1, April 2015, Pages 121–131

(c) Nullity of marriage – s. 22 MCA

 Grounds for nullity

 Consequences

Cases
Borotho v. Borotho [1995] B.L.R. 359.
Gaobotse v. Gaobotse [1995] B.L.R. 549.
Miziyonke v. Miziyonke & Anor. [1999] 2 BLR 396
Chakalisa v Mmemo [2008]1 BLR 194
Mazwiduma v Mazwiduma [2007]3 625
Osman v Osman 1990 BLR 271
Basupang v Baitlotli [2010]2 BLR 129

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13. DIVORCE

(a) Restriction on action for divorce within 2 years – s. 21 MCA

Cases
Bowman v. Bowman [1949] 2 All ER 127
Winter v. Winter [1944] P 72
Richter v, Richter [1985] BLR 46
Maswabi v. Maswabi [1999] 2 B.L.R. 378
Kgosiemang v Kgosiemang [2008] BLR 63
Mbizo v Mbizo [2010] 2 BLR 355

(b) Ground for divorce – s. 14 MCA

Cases
Baipidi v. Baipidi [2000] 1 BLR 370
Molefe v. Molefe [2001] 2 BLR 431
Lavik v Lavik [2010]2 BLR 263

(c) Procedure for divorce – MCR/HCR

Cases
Bale v. Bale [1975] 1 BLR 44
Bashe v. Bashe [1977] BLR 52
Etherington v. Etherington [1974] 2 BLR 3
Lincoln v. Lincoln [1974] 2 BLR 44
Dance v. Dance [1976] BLR 43
Leshiga v. Leshiga unreported MC 216/95 (16/3/96)
Ntwana v. Ntwana unreported MC 186/95 (29th Nov. 1996)
Nku v. Nku [1998] B.L.R. 87
Masithe v. Masithe [1997] BLR1047 (s. 15 (3))

(d) Facts evidencing irretrievable breakdown of a marriage – s. 15(1) MCA

(i) Adultery and intolerability

Cases
Mandumetse v. Molapo [1982] 1 BLR 102
Cleary v. Cleary [1974] 1 All ER 498
Pheto v. Pheto [1975] 1 BLR 59
Ratshosa v. Ratshosa [1978] BLR 64
Sebele v. Sebele [1981] 1 BLR 161
Molake v. Rapotsanyane [1985] BLR 473
Ngakae v. Ngakae [1979-80] BLR 248
Cleary v. Cleary [1974] 1 All ER 498
Roper v. Roper [1972] 3 All ER 668

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Mabote v. Mabote & Anor. [1997] B.L.R. 1339,

Mabote & Anor. v. Mabote [1999] BLR 386 (CA)
Bright v. Ngakantsi [2003] 2 BLR 335
Moreti v. Moreti [2000] 1 BLR 175
Machangana v Botsho CVHFT 000869-16 (Unreported)
Kgaje v Mhotshs CVHFT 000237-17 (Unreported)
Chepete v Tshukudu CACGB-092-20

(ii) Behaviour and its unreasonable consequence

Cases
Ash v. Ash [1972] 1 All ER 582
Livingstone-Stallard v. Livingstone –Stallard [1974] 2 All ER 776
O’Neill v. O’Neill [1975] All ER 289
Khamane v. Khamane [1976] BLR 22
Mombala v. Mombala [1976] BLR 31
Wageng v. Wageng [1978] BLR 26
Rilley v. Rilley [1979] BLR 100
Kalabeng v. Kalabeng [1983] BLR 281
Tshireletso v. Tshireletso [1983] BLR 26
Malao v. Malao [1986] BLR 82
Melamu v. Melamu [1987] BLR 310
Segosebe v. Segosebe [1991] B.L.R. 84
Mazwiduma

(iii) Desertion

Cases
Hopes v. Hopes [1949] P 227
Pulford v. Pulford [1923] P 18
Alston v. Alston [1946] P 203
Everitt v. Everitt [1949] P 374
Dunn v. Dunn [1948] 2 All ER 822
Williams v. Williams 1944 OPD 290
Lang v. Lang [1955] AC 102
Noke v. Noke [1979-80] BLR 109
Baitsile v. Baitsile [1979-80] BLR 111
Moisakamo v. Moisakamo (2) [1981] 1 BLR 126
Malonjane v. Malonjane [1985] BLR 741

(iv) Living apart with defendant’s consent

Cases
Baipidi v. Baipidi [2000] BLR 370
Modise v. Modise [1974] 2 BLR 11
Dibotelo v. Dibotelo [1988] B.L.R. 353
Raoganne v. Raoganne [1997] B.L.R. 1255
Mouncer v. Mouncer [1972] 1 All E.R. 289

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14. ANCILLARY RELIEFS – ss. 13, 25, 27 & 28 MCA

(a) Maintenance of spouses

Cases
Louw v. Ogilvie [2000] BLR 355
Montshiwa v. Montshiwa [1999] 2 BLR 216

(b) Custody/maintenance of children

Cases
Matsheka v. Matsheka [1977] BLR 112
Peter v. Peter [1975] 2 BLR 18
Mosinyi v. Mosinyi [1981] 1 BLR 123
Verona v. Verona [1983] BLR 9
Fordy v. Fordy [1998] B.L.R. 48
Sello v. Sello & Anor. [1998] B.L.R. 500
Sello v. Sello & Anor (No. 2) [1999] 2 B.L.R. 104
Montshiwa v. Montshiwa [1999] 2 BLR 216
Mazile v. Mazile [2001] 1 B.L.R. 175

T. Jobeta (with Dr. Dinokopila); The Best Interest of the Child Principle, Vol
26(2) (2018 UBLJ) Published 2020

(c) Property rights of spouses

Cases
Mtui v. Mtui [2001] 2 BLR 333
Thebe v. Kemodisa [2001] 2 BLR 263
Molomo v. Molomo [1979-80] BLR 250
Moisakamo v. Moisakamo (2) [1981] BLR 126
Rabantheng v. Rabantheng [1988] BLR 260
Modise v. Modise [1991] B.L.R. 333
Mbenge v. Mbenge [1996] B.L.R. 142
Kgari v. Kgari [1996] B.L.R. 488
Ruwona v. Ruwona [1998] B.L.R. 415
Molefe v. Molefe [2003] 2 BLR 157
Molefe v. Molefe[2004] 2 B.L.R. 80 (CA)
Suping v Suping MLHLB-000247-12 (Unreported)
Motswasele v Motswasele [2006]1 BLR 120
Charumbira v Charumbira [2010]3 BLR 148 (HC)
Tshireletso v Tshireletso [2010]3 BLR 119(HC)
Mothibi v Mothibi [2014]3 BLR 347
Ditlhabano v Ditlhabano MLHGB 000068-18 (Unreported)
Maano v Maano MLHGB 000070-20 (Unreported)
Mogopodi v Mogopodi MLHGB 000070-20 (Unreported)
Kelaotswe v Kelaotswe MLHFT 000222-21 ( Unreported)

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T. Jobeta and O. Jonas-"The Abolition of the Doctrine of

Immutability in the Matrimonial Property Regime in Botswana,"
University of Botswana Law Journal 17 (2013): 65-71

T. Jobeta Recent Developments in Family Law in Botswana: The

Abolition of Marital Power Act; International Survey of Family Law
2006

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