MASERU - The Law Society of Lesotho, through its newly elected President Advocate Tekane Maqakachane, has issued a statement regarding developments surrounding the office of the Chief Justice. The statement dated May 9, explains that the society has noted the developments surrounding the office of the Chief Justice in Lesotho and therefore calls upon the government of Lesotho to approach the impeachment processes concerning Chief Justice Nthomeng Majara with openness and fairness. The statement says the government should follow the tenets of the law and the constitution in order to avoid the mockery of due process that was recently witnessed concerning the removal of the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Kananelo Mosito. The statement also explains that the society notes the legal processes undertaken by the Chief Justice, but is deeply concerned by the turn of events according to which, as the concerned party with interest in the matter, the Chief Justice continued to designate and appoint a judge to deal with the matter in the preliminary stage, thus clothing the matter into a garb of conflict of interest and impartiality. It also indicates that the society reaffirms the importance of the Law Society’s role in the administration of justice and the practice of law, the superintending constitutional imperatives of the independence and the accountability of the judiciary as well as the need to espouse and maintain the rule of law and constitutionalism in the country. Furthermore, the society highlights that it will continue to assess the developments and take the necessary measures in order to uphold those values, which underpin the country’s young democracy. In the meantime, the society speaks on the Chief Justice’s impeachment at the same time the South African Chief Justice Forum (SACJF) has expressed its willingness to assist Lesotho’s Executive in resolving its current problem with Chief Justice Nthomeng Majara, which also includes her impeachment. On the other hand, the Chief Justice earlier this week filed a constitutional case in which she wants the court to prevent the Prime Minister Dr. Thomas Thabane from recommending her suspension to His Majesty King Letsie III as well as interdicting the Prime Minister from setting up a tribunal to investigate her fitness to hold the office of the Chief Justice. This constitutional case will be heard by foreign judges yet to be appointed. Lena