MASERU - Two Judges from the Republic of Botswana were on Monday sworn-in as Lesotho’s High Court Judges at the Palace of Justice during the occasion that happened on Monday at the High Court premises.
news
Aug. 8, 2019
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
New foreign judges sworn-in
Maseforo Mahase to take an oath of office
Led by Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) ’Maseforo Mahase to take an oath of office, Dr Onkemetse Bashi Tshosa and Justice Kabelo Kenneth Lebotse swore that they would administer justice to all persons alike without fear, favour and prejudice according to the laws of Lesotho.
In her welcome remarks, Justice Mahase expressed her delight at the arrival of the two jurists, saying they had long been awaited. She explained that their appointment was never easy as several challenges were encountered along the way. She was however, quick to note that Basotho were a peace loving nation that would embrace their presence in their country until their 18-month project to assist the Lesotho High Court with a backlog of cases especially the high profile ones came to an end.
Sharing similar sentiments, Jusitce Sakoane Sakoane was hopeful the two foreign judges’ presence in Lesotho would be fruitful to all local Judges through, among others, exchanging of ideas on how to deal with matters, especially the sensitive ones. Justice Sakoane was further hopeful that Dr Tshosa and Justice Lebotse would not only deal with high profile criminal cases but would also extend a helping hand in taking care of constitutional cases as well.
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Dr Tshosa, 54, is a law lecturer at the University of Botswana (UB) and a senior partner at the Tshosa and Company Attorneys. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from UB, Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Lund in Sweden as well as the Doctor of Laws (Ph. D) from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Justice Lebotse also aged 54, is the director of Legal Services at the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). Justice Lebotse has worked as a legal advisor for the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC). He holds an LLB obtained from UB and an LLM from the University of London, in the United Kingdom (UK).
Another foreign jurist who has joined the local bench to deal with high profile cases, especially against members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), is Justice Charles Hungwe from Zimbabwe. The soldiers and police in question are charged, among others, with murder and attempted murder. The accused include the retired army commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli who is accused of the murder of the former army boss, Lt Gen Maaparankoe Mahao. Justice Hungwe took an oath of office to work as a judge of the Lesotho High Court last year and has already heard a number of cases. The appointments of Justices Hungwe, Lebotse and Dr Tshosa bring the number of currently operating local judges to 16.
LeNA/Metro
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