Africa-Press – Lesotho. The High Court bench is expected to welcome new members. Today the new Judges of this court will take an oath of the judiciary office as puisne Judges of the
first court of record. This is per the statement issued by the High Court earlier this week. The duo who made it to the final on a cutthroat journey to the bench are Advocate Realeboha Andrew
Mathaba and Fumane ‘Malebona Khabo. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) made recommendations to His Majesty King Letsie III to appoint the two following their successful performance on the interviews.
Section 132 (8) of the Constitution charges the JSC with the mandate to recommend the names of the judges and submit them to His Majesty the King for approval.
In August, JSC interviewed five candidates as the sixth one had withdrawn from the race. The candidates were: Mrs Fumane ‘Malebona Khabo, Mr Moneuoe Stephen Kopo, Mr Realeboha Mathaba, Mrs
Kuena Mabotsoa Thabane and Mrs ‘Mamotšelisi Khiba. Mr Makhele Julius Sekati withdrew from the contest albeit having been nominated for the interviews.
The two bring the number of the High Court Judges to nine. Currently, the high court has seven judges including the Chief Justice. The active high court
judges are His Lordship Sakoane Sakoane (the Chief Justice), Judge Tšeliso Monapathi, Judge ‘Maseforo Mahase, Judge Molefi Makara, Judge Moroke Mokhesi,
Judge Keketso Moahloli and Judge Polo Banyane. The High Court has recently suffered a loss with the passing on of Judge Thamsanqa Nomngcongo. Meanwhile, the Commercial
Division of the High Court has remained without a Judge since last year following the deaths of its two Judges, Judge Lisebo Chaka Makhoana and Judge Lebohang Molete.
In a move to decentralise the High Court, Lesotho has built the High Court in Leribe, Tšifa-li-Mali Court Complex which boasts two high courtrooms and magistrate courtrooms. This court has reached completion and it is expected to be opened “soon” and it also requires Judges.
