Department of Tribal Administration

The Department of Tribal Administration is a department of Botswana's Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, based in Gaborone. It is responsible for the tribal side of local governance, including the customary courts and the Kgotla system. The ministry describes the department's remit as "to ensure that all tribal local governance issues across Botswana are made more effective and efficient on tribal matters, justice through customary courts and Kgotla systems." Among the services the ministry lists at local-authority level are the settlement of civil disputes and the use of the Kgotla for consultation and decision-making. The department is one of eight in the ministry. The others are Local Governance and Development Planning, Technical Services, Social Development, Emergency Services, Rural Development, Environmental Health, and Corporate Services. The ministry gives its vision as "sustainable livelihoods and effective local governance". The kgotla is the traditional assembly of Tswana villages and wards, presided over by the kgosi (chief) or a headman. It serves both as a public meeting place, where leaders and government officials consult residents, and as the seat of the customary court, which hears civil disputes and lesser criminal cases under customary law. Gaborone has been the capital of Botswana since independence in 1966. It is the country's largest city and the seat of its government ministries, most of which sit in the Government Enclave beside the Main Mall. The Government of Botswana portal gives the ministry's contacts rather than the department's: the main line is +267 365 8400, the toll-free number 0800 600 718 and the postal address Private Bag 006, Gaborone, with offices open from 07:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

107 Independence Ave, Gaborone, Botswana
Gaborone

24°39′11″S 25°55′7″E