It is understood that besides Rwelengera, Khama has rejected the
appointments of Parliamentary Counsel Lizo Ngcongco and Francistown
private lawyer, Gabriel Komboni as acting High Court judges.
Sources at the Office of the President have revealed that Khama has
instead called for the Administration of Justice to re-advertise the
positions. Last month the Administration of Justice carried out
interviews to recruit two judges and one acting judge following an
advertisement in December last year. Rwelengera, Ngcongco and Komboni
were selected after the interviews but now their appointments have been
reportedly blocked by the President.
In the past, judges were appointed by the President following a
recommendation by the JSC and a process that was criticised for its
lack of transparency. But recently, a new method has been introduced
where posts are advertised for interested candidates to apply to be
appointed after interviews.
However, not long after the interviews, tongues have been wagging with
reports that the whole process is a smokescreen as the JSC had already
handpicked its preferred candidates. The Administration of Justice
advertised two vacancies for judges and one acting position. But it is
understood that the department made a recommendation to Khama to
appoint Ngcongco and Komboni in an acting capacity and Rwelengera as a
full-time judge. Other individuals said to have been interviewed by the
JSC are University of Botswana law lecturers Dr Onkemetse Tshosa,
Kabelo Lebotse and acting judge, Terrence Rannowane.
The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Dikgakgamatso Seretse,
refused to comment stating that the issues are highly confidential.
"Even if I knew, I would not divulge anything because it is highly
confidential," said Seretse.
The minister explained that even though he was accountable on matters
of the judiciary, he does not have a hand in the appointment of judges.
Government spokesperson, Jeff Ramsay, would not confirm or deny the
reports of the rejection of the appointments. He referred queries to
the JSC. The Chief Justice Julian Nganunu declined to comment on the
matter.
Mmegi Online
Post published in: Uncategorized