Three shortlisted for judges positions 

Moorosi Tsiane 

RESIDENT Magistrates Palesa Rantara and Motlatsi Kolisang?are?among three candidates to be interviewed on 15 August 2024 for three vacant judge positions at the High Court. 

They will be joined by Itumeleng ‘Mamokhali Shale, Head of the Department of Procedural and Adjectival Law at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). 

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) selected the three finalists from 21 applicants during its meeting last Sunday. 

Magistrates Rantara and Kolisang are making another attempt to join the higher bench after their previous unsuccessful bids. Notably, Magistrate Rantara brings prior higher bench experience, having served as an acting judge during a three-month criminal session in February to April 2022. 

The move to appoint new judges follows the untimely death of Justice Hopolang Nathane, who succumbed to cancer at a hospital in Bloemfontein on 23 April 2024. The High Court now comprises 13 judges stationed in Maseru and one in Leribe, where Justice ‘Makampong Mokhoro remains the only judge following Justice Nathane’s demise. 

Judiciary spokesperson Mabohlokoa Mapikitla confirmed the shortlist but indicated that the candidates must still pass their interviews to be appointed. 

“Being shortlisted does not guarantee that they will be hired. They must still go through the interview process, which will determine their suitability. If they do not make it, the vacant posts will be advertised again,” Ms Mapikitla said. 

Ms Mapikitla noted that Central Chief Magistrate ‘Matankiso Nthunya and several other magistrates, including Thamae Thamae, Peter Murenzi, Tšeliso Bale, Monyake Hlabanyane, Molemo Monethi, and Itumeleng Ralebese, did not make it this time due to the new judges’ code of ethics, which served as part of the qualification requirements. 

“Just because someone qualified for the interviews last time does not mean they automatically qualify again. The new code of ethics for judges, published last month (June), set the requirements for applicants. Those who did not make it this time likely failed to meet these new criteria,” she explained. 

Other notable applicants who did not make the cut include High Court and Court of Appeal Registrar Advocate ‘Mathato Sekoai, Ombudsman Adv Tlotliso Polaki, Directorate on Dispute Prevention and Resolution (DDPR) Arbitrator Adv Ratsolo Thulo, and former Deputy Attorney General Adv Tsebang Putsoa. NUL’s Assistant Registrar Adv Rasetla Mofoka, Advocates Thomas Thakalekoala from the Attorney General’s office, Karabo Mohau KC, Sekake Malebanye KC, Mapitso Marethabile Leseeo Rantja, and Vusimuzi Patrick Tšenoli also failed to qualify. 

?