The High Court through Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane has on Monday administered the swearing-in of two High Court Acting Judges thus; Judge Tšabo Matooane and Judge Semapo Peete at a ceremony held in Maseru.
When taking the oath, both judges undertook to administer justice without fear, favour or prejudice and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Lesotho.
The two, together with another whose appointment is yet to be confirmed are expected to deal with 35 cases selected from Maseru during a criminal session scheduled for February 07 to April 29, 2022.
Chief Justice Sakoane said the appointment of the two judges has been approved by His Majesty King Letsie III, saying this was made due to a backlog of criminal cases before the High Court.
He noted that there are many homicide criminal cases in the country, some of which are pending investigations while others are pending before the court, commenting therefore that the judiciary does not have enough judges to handle murder cases hence the appointment of the acting judges.
The Chief Justice pointed out that the two will serve as judges for three months after which they will return to their respective duties.
Acting Judge Peete is a retired judge of the High Court of Lesotho while Judge Matoane is an attorney. The two judges bring a total number of High Court Judges to 11.
Their appointment follows the recent appointment of Judge Realeboha Mathaba who has been placed at the Commercial Court and Judge Malebona Khabo who is working at the High Court. The event further precedes recruitment of puisne judges which the Judicial Service Commission is currently dealing with.
 
Source: LENA 07/02/2022