Mohalenyane Phakela
THE judiciary has suspended all court hearings and other operations for the duration of the national lockdown except for urgent matters in the High Court and magistrates’ courts. The suspensions are in response to the raging Coronavirus pandemic which has affected many countries around the world.
The first session of the Court of Appeal for 2020 which had expected to run from 14 April to 1 May 2020 has also been postponed indefinitely.
The lockdown begins today and ends on 21 April 2020. It was announced by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane on Wednesday as part of efforts to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
The Coronavirus (also known as Covid-19) has plunged the whole world into unprecedented turmoil with countries scurrying for measures to stop its spread in their territories.
Lesotho has not recorded a single case. However, the country is at serious risk due to the exponential rise of infections in neighbouring South Africa which completely surrounds the Kingdom. The incubation period of the virus, which experts say can surpass 20 days, depending on each individual, and during which transmission can take place without any visible symptoms makes the situation particularly dire. In addition, Lesotho does not have testing capacity and relies on South Africa.
In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, Dr Thabane said a special cabinet meeting that day had resolved to declare a lockdown beginning on Sunday (today) to protect Basotho from contracting COVID-19.
“COVID-19 spreading very fast in an overwhelming manner and therefore my cabinet ministers have decided there should be a lockdown which the public will be expected to adhere to,” Dr Thabane said.
“People are ordered to stay at their homes and only go out when there is need to attend serious business such as accessing health services or buying groceries. Public gatherings are prohibited except for funerals where not more than 50 people may participate.
“All recreational activities should stop at once. People should desist from taking unnecessary trips outside the country including members of the diplomatic corps and international organisations. All Lesotho citizens outside the country for various reasons should stay at their current locations except for those who are expected to transport equipment and essential services such as health products, food and other home essentials
“Security and public safety agencies are ordered to immediately effect strategies to curb this pandemic by controlling unnecessary movements of people,” Dr Thabane said.
A day after Dr Thabane announced the lockdown, the judiciary responded by suspending all court sessions except for urgent matters to be heard by the High Court and magistrates’ courts.
A circular signed by the High Court and Court of Appeal Registrar, Advocate Thato Sekoai, states that the High Court has suspended all cases and only urgent matters will be attended to by a judge on call who will only report to work when such cases are brought before him or her. Adv Sekoai also states that the magistrates’ courts shall only entertain urgent matters only while other subordinate courts shall totally suspend operations.
“Bail applications shall only be heard on Mondays at 10am. Subject to that, a judge on call shall stay at home ready to avail himself to entertain extremely urgent matters throughout this period. Whenever there is an urgent application to be moved, the office of the registrar shall be contacted on the mobile numbers, 57527071, 58954218, 59441301, 58788711.
“As for the Master of the High Court, only services related to accessing monies from the Guardian’s Funds shall be availed…on Wednesdays from 9am to 2pm. The office of the Master of High Court shall be accessible on 58071503 and 50522639.
“As for the subordinate courts, remands of both suspects remanded in custody and those who are out on bail shall not be held. There shall be no business at all by the Central and Local Courts during this period. Chief Magistrates shall be contacted on their telephone numbers for any urgent matters including bail applications and remanding of suspects who are brought to court for the first time. They shall be contacted on 58884073, 63056205 and 58034768,” Adv Sekoai wrote.
The first session of the Court of Appeal for 2020 has also been postponed indefinitely.
“Pursuant to the official statement issued by the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Dr Motsoahae Thomas Thabane, on the Covid-19 pandemic in which he ordered countrywide lockdown from 29 March to 21 April 2020, the general public, court users and all stakeholders in the administration and delivery of justice are kindly advised that … the session (of Court Appeal) is postponed until further notice in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and ongoing international and national lockdown,” states a circular signed by Court of Appeal Deputy Registrar, Advocate Realeboha Makamane.