Hopolang Mokhopi
SUSPENDED High Court Judge, ‘Maseforo Mahase, has questioned why she has been overlooked in the allocation of new official vehicles for High Court judges, despite her seniority and full entitlements during suspension.
Justice Mahase, the second most senior judge after Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane, expressed concern that her juniors received new vehicles while she was excluded.
Her lawyer, Advocate Katiso Nhlapo, said the omission contradicted the judiciary’s own rules.
“Our client has noted your memorandum dated 18 February 2026, regarding the procurement and allocation of new official vehicles for the High Court judges,” Adv Nhlapo wrote to the Registrar of the High Court and Court of Appeal, Advocate ‘Mathato Sekoai, this past week.
“The memorandum states that four vehicles have been registered and allocated to certain judges, with five more pending registration. It also specifies that allocations should follow seniority precedence. Justice Mahase, being the most senior serving judge, should have been a primary beneficiary. Her exclusion appears to be linked to her suspension, despite her entitlement to full pay and benefits, which includes access to official vehicles.”
Adv Nhlapo warned that ignoring her seniority could be seen as prejudicial and potentially undermine public confidence in the judiciary. He urged the office to reconsider the allocations to ensure fairness and adherence to established protocols, adding that Justice Mahase reserves the right to pursue legal remedies, including judicial review, if necessary.
Justice Mahase was suspended on 4 November 2025 after a three-member tribunal, appointed on 13 October 2025, was tasked with assessing her fitness to remain a judge. The tribunal is chaired by Malawian judge Justice Mankhambira Charles Ching’anyi Mkandawire, with Justice Sylvester Salufi Mainga of Namibia and Justice David Mangota of Zimbabwe as members.
Following her suspension, Justice Mahase sought to interdict what she described as an unlawful and unconstitutional action. On 24 November 2025, acting Justice Sekake Malebanye ruled there was no justification to fast-track her application. Earlier this month, Adv Nhlapo requested Justice Malebanye to issue a written ruling to facilitate further legal steps, including a possible appeal to the Court of Appeal.
However, the High Court’s Deputy Registrar, Adv Pontšo Phafoli, responded that Justice Malebanye was not obliged to provide reasons for striking the matter off the urgent roll, noting that no preliminary legal points or merits were addressed that would require a reasoned judgment.
The judiciary’s spokesperson, ‘Mabohlokoa Mapikitla, could not be reached for comment as her mobile phone rang unanswered.