Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has yesterday started the marathon interviews for the positions of Judges of the High Court. The interviews are expected to run from Monday to Friday this week.
The JSC had on October 29 last year advertised the positions of eight Judges of the High Court, an advert which attracted 21 applications of applicants and
nominees. The JSC had in October last year published an advertisement for vacancies of the Judges of the High Court. The interviews have two phases wherein the standard questions are done in the open
and there is a closed session which is conducted in camera. This, according to the Secretary of the JSC Advocate ‘Mathato Sekoai, will not give the first
interviewee an unfair advantage. The north region Chief Magistrate ‘Makampong Gugu Mokhoro was the first to take the hot seat and was followed by Berea Resident Magistrate Molemo Monethi.
Some of the questions posed to the candidates were their experience in the judiciary and the bench on the Magistrates and Lawyers respectively. The Commission also interrogates the candidates if there are publications which
they have produced. Initially, 21 hopefuls had thrown their names into the hat to join the bench of the High Court but three were trimmed during the shortlisting process.
Of the 18 shortlisted, the Chief Justice who also doubles as the Chairperson of the JSC said they will take the best eight. The contestants for the judgeship are.
‘Makampong Gugu Mokhoro, Molemo Monethi, Peter Celestine Murenzi, Tšeliso Raymond Bale, Monyake George Hlabanyane,
‘Mabatšoeneng Grace Hlaele, Manyathela Clement Kolobe, ‘Mamotšelisi Mary-Theresa Khiba, Moneuoe Stephen Kopo, Itumeleng Ralebese-Letsika,
‘Maliepollo Makhetha, Tšeliso Joachim Mokoko, Hopolang John Nathane, ‘Matankiso
Nthunya, ‘Mafelile Patricia Ralebese, Thamae Andreas Thamae, Teboho Thoso and Kuili Ndebele. After the interviews, the JSC will submit a list of names to His Majesty the King for
endorsement and the recommended will be sworn in as Judges. The prospective Judges will be an addition to the bench which has experienced losses owing to deaths and retirements.
Of the eight Judges to be appointed, six will be an addition to the bench while the two will be posted in Leribe at the High Court in Tšifa-li-mali Court Complex
which is expected to open “soon”. The active high court judges are His Lordship Sakoane Sakoane (the Chief Justice), Judge Tšeliso Monaphathi, Judge ‘Maseforo Mahase, Judge Molefi Makara, Judge
Moroke Mokhesi, Judge Keketso Moahloli and Judge Polo Banyane. The bench welcomed new two members in October last year following the fierce journey to
the bench – only two made the cut Judge Fumane Khabo and Judge Realeboha Mathaba. The JSC composition is formed by the Chief Justice who is the Chairperson, a Judge,
Attorney General and the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission as per the provisions of the section 132(1) of the Constitution. 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 Commission introduced the open interviews last year in August a move which was applauded by the different sectors of the society which seeks merit based selection of the Judges.
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