-LSB in the dark overJudges appointments
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
Registrar and Master of the High Court Michael Motlhabi has confirmed that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has appointed four new judges, who are expected to resume their roles next year.
According to sources, the four legal practitioners whose names are, Reuben Lekorwe, Itumeleng Segopolo, Parks Maphakwane and Matlhogonolo Phuthego were confirmed, and issued letters of appointments yesterday (Monday). These appointments follow the notice for applications for new judges a few months ago.
In an interview with The Botswana Gazette yesterday (Monday), the Registrar and Master of the High Court Michael Motlhabi confirmed the new Judges appointment, but would not be drawn into revealing more information. He, however added that the new Judges are likely to resume duty early next year.
In June President Mokgweetsi Masisi also appointed new Judges at the High Court and Magistrate courts.
Despite stating that they were yet to be notified on the appointment of the new Judges, the Law Society of Botswana chairperson Kgalalelo Monthe said that the appointments would be handy in dealing with the piling number of cases in the backlog.
“We have not received any official notification on their appointments, but we have only heard rumors circulating on social media, they are our members and we should have been notified. As far as we are concerned, we are only aware that they applied for the Judges posts,” said the LSB Chairman.
He added that “We have for a long time advocated that there must be an increase in the number of Judges, as this is one the
key aspects that investors who are interested in investing in the country look at. They keep a close eye on how long does it take for cases to be resolved in that country, and if its a long process, they decide to take their investments elsewhere,” concluded Monthe.