Africa-Press – Lesotho. The contest to the High Court bench reached the peak on Monday following the oral interviews of the prospective Judges which was broadcast live on national
television and over social media platforms. These were the first ever live interviews for the Judges and they took off after the earlier suspension owing to low budget of the Judiciary.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviewed five candidates as the sixth one had withdrew from the race. The candidates are: Mrs Fumane ‘Malebona Khabo, Mr Moneuoe Stephen Kopo, Mr Realeboha Mathaba, Mrs
Kuena Mabotsoa Thabane and Mrs ‘Mamotšelisi Khiba. Mr Makhele Julius Sekati had on Friday withdrew from the contest. The prospective judges will be judged on the following qualities: experience and
education, competence, good communication and listening skills, courage and independence, ethics/integrity, Judicial Temperament and jurisprudential leadership and health and life.
The contestants were asked on their competencies of the jurisdictions of the High Court as provided for in the Constitution, their appreciation of the judicial oath, challenges
and its implications thereof. They were also asked to talk to the critical components of the Judge, the jurisdictions of the Disputed Returns and the scenario-based questions.
The four ratings to be employed in assessing their performance are: no match, weak match, good match and extremely good match. The Bangalore Principles of the Judicial Conduct which were adopted by the Chief
Justices in 2002, which the judicial officers are expected to espouse in discharging their duties are: independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety,
equality, competence and diligence. The JSC composition is made up of the Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane as the Chairperson and the three Commissioners – Judge Polo Banyane, Attorney General Advocate Rapelang
Motsieloa and the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC) Moshoeshoe Sehloho and its Secretary in the Registrar of High Court and Court of Appeal
Registrar Advocate ‘Mathato Sekoai. 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.
The high court bench suffered loss following the death of the two judges last year, 2020, Judges Lebohang Molete and Lisebo Chaka-Makhooane who passed away in May and July
respectively both serving at the Commercial Court – Division of the High Court, leaving that court without judges until present. July last year the two
high court judges went for retirement, leaving vacancies in the bench, Justices Teboho Moiloa and Semapo Peete went for retirement. Currently the high
court has eight judges including the Chief Justice. The active high court judges are: His Lordship Sakoane Sakoane (the Chief Justice), Judge Tšeliso Monaphathi, Judge
Thamsanqa Nomngcongo, Judge ‘Maseforo Mahase, Judge Molefi Makara, Judge Moroke Mokhesi, Judge Keketso Moahloli and Judge Polo Banyane. The names of the
nominees were: Lerato Lisele-Mokhesi, Tšabo Matooane, Tšeliso Bale, ‘Mabatšoeneng Hlaele, Nkoebe Ramabele, Mokhele Matsau, Makhele Juliea Sekati, Moneuoa Kopo, ‘Mamotšelisi Mary-Theresa Khiba, Manyathela Clement Kolobe,
‘Mamosa Amelia Mohlabula-Nokana, Fusi Sehapi, Fumane ‘Malebona Khabo, and Mosoeunyane Masiphole. Those who threw their
name in the hat were: Itumeleng Shale, ‘Mapitso ‘Marethabile Rantja Leseeo, Tšeliso Mokoko, Thabo Mpaka, Palesa Rantara, Hopolang Nathane, Hlabanyane Monyake, Molemo Monethi, Makhetha ‘Maliepollo, ‘Mafelile Ralebese, Sekake
Malebanye, Nthabiseng Moopisa Motilane, Itumeleng Ralebese-Letsika, Motlatsi Petrose Kolisang, Thamae Thamae, Teboho Thoso, ‘Makampong Gugu Mokhoro, ‘Matankiso
Nthunya, Ratšolo Paul Thulo and Peter C. Murenzi. The Committee will retire and regroup on Thursday. It is after Thursday meeting that the JSC will submit the two nominees to His Majesty King Letsie
III for approval. The Section 120 (2) of the Constitution on appointment of the High Court judges reads: “The puisne judges shall be appointed by the King, acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.”
