Based on the Botswana legal framework, a Council is a corporate body with judicious powers, with a name and a seal by which it is established and is capable of suing and being sued under the said name. Some of the key characteristics of Councils as body-corporate are the following:
In addition to the acts establishing councils, other legislative instruments governing the operations of Councils include, among others, the following;
i) Children’s Act (Cap 28:04), 1981
ii) Adoption of Children Act (Cap 28:01), 1952
iii) Public Health Act (Cap 63:01), 1981
iv) Water Act (Cap 34:01), 1968
v) Education Act (Cap 58:01), 1967
vi) Public Roads Act (Cap 69:04), 1907
vii) Matimela Act (Cap 36:06), 1969, Amendment, 2004 (Currently under review)
viii) Pounds Act (CAP: 36:05), 1925, 1984
ix) Building Control Act, 1962
x) Fire Services Act, 1994
xi) Liquor Regulations, 2008
xii) Environmental Impact Assessment Act, 2005
xiii) Local Authorities Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2008
xiv) Finance and Audit Act (Cap 54:01), 1970
xv) Tribal Land Act (CAP 32:02), 1970; Amendment, 1993
xvi) Town and Country Planning Act (CAP 32:09), 1980
xvii) Public Service Act (CAP 26:01) of 2008 (Revision)s