Meet the new judges

Advocate Sekoai said Justice Mathaba will be working at the Commercial Court which has been largely inactive since the death of its two judges. Justice Khabo will be in the High Court.
The Commercial Court is a division of the High Court.
“This is not the end, we are yet to advertise for more judges to join as the total number of judges in this country is now only nine,” she said.
There is also a plan to build another high court in Mohale's Hoek to serve the northern districts of Mafeteng, Mohale's Hoek, Quthing and Qacha's Nek.

The two judges impressed the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) during their open interview hosted at the 'Manthabiseng Convention Centre last month.
In that interview, Justice Mathaba explained that if ever he was to be appointed he would never be intimidated, especially by politicians, or breach his oath of office.
“I have had offers of bribery, threats and intimidations from prominent people, but since I know my job, that did not stop me from doing my duties,” he said.

“I cannot say there are challenges in an oath, politicians have their way to tarnish the judiciary, people fear to lose their jobs and end up accepting bribes but I do not believe in that because an oath is an oath and it should be obeyed.”
He however said there are possible challenges that a judge may face.
“Being under pressure as there might be high profile cases that a judge has to handle and if the judge is not fit, he may hear pressure from the public and end up doing things their way,” he said.
He said even the shortage of resources may put a judge under undue pressure to favour the paymaster.

Justice Khabo, in her interview, explained that judges should not take a long time to deliver judgments as justice delayed is justice denied.
She however said politicians have ruined the image of the judiciary as they are very influential and sometimes bribe judges to deliver favourable rulings.
She said every judge should stick to his or her oath regardless of the influence or challenge they face.

JUSTICE ANDREW REALEBOHA MATHABA'S PROFILE

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Over 16 years of experience in senior roles of increasing complexity and responsibility in tax administration, water sector, legal practice, prosecution as well as drafting of Bills, complex financing and subsidiary agreements.
• Wealth of experience in legal research, drafting legal documents, legal opinions and handling sensitive matters.
• Prove litigation and trial advocacy skills.
• Solid academic knowledge and practical experience of good corporate governance and experience in serving as Board member and Company Secretary.
• Ability to develop and translate broad strategies into specific objectives and action plans to support strategic priorities, define strategic directions and ensure effective implementation.
• Management of key stakeholder relationship with private sector, government and regional development institutions.
• Experience in leadership, corporate governance, corporate planning, budget and monitoring.
• Extensive experience in compliance management.
• Strong negotiations and mediation skills.
• Experience in change, projects and program management.
• Experience in resource mobilisation for projects.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

PARTICIPATION IN THE BROADER FRAMEWORK GOVERNANCE/TRAINING

• Ensured that management developed outcomes based Corporate Strategy for 2020/2025.
• Secured assistance from the IMF-AFRITAC South in the development of a Compliance Model in orders to promote voluntary tax compliance. The model was hailed a success story by the donor as many Revenue Administrations were struggling to produce their own Compliance Models and the LRA had struggled to produce the Model since its inception in 2003.
• Secured assistance from the World Customs Organisations and led the implementation of the National Customs Network Systems (Ncen) in order to modernise customs enforcement.
• Member of SADC Panel of International Commercial Arbitrators.
• EX-Officio Board Member of the Lesotho Revenue Authority.

JUSTICE 'MALEBONA KHABO'S PROFILE

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Specialist in Labour Law, Labour Law Relations, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
• Wide management experience acquired from the various senior positions held in the public service.
• Admitted as an advocate of the High Court.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

PUBLICATIONS

• “Collective Bargaining and Labour Disputes Resolution _Is SADC Meeting the Challenge?”- Labour Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (then) Harare, Zimbabwe, 2008. Issue Paper No.30 –
• “Resolving Labour Disputes in Southern Africa- The case of Lesotho“Published in Labour Disputes in Southern Africa by the Institute of Development and Labour Law, University of Cape Town and Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Harare), 1995;
• Contributed a background paper titled“Equality of Employment for Women in Lesotho,”1993 to the ILO. Paper was jointly prepared with Prof. E. Kalula and Ms. M.D. Hlajoane;
• Contributed to a study on“Labour Market Regulation in the SADC Region” a paper focusing on Lesotho,2007- Jointly facilitated by the University of Cape Town and University of Melbourne, Australia. Presented at the University of Cape Town in 2007.

'Malimpho Majoro

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