MBABANE: The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights has urged the Eswatini Government to compensate highly respected Judge Thomas Masuku who was persecuted by the regime while executing his duties.
This comes after the Judge was persecuted and subsequently fired by Mswati’s Government, Judge Masuku was charged by the late Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi, the then Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission who accused him of insulting the King among other charges.
Masuku, now High Court Judge of Namibia then filed a complaint with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, he was represented by the Lawyers for Human Rights.
“In light of the foregoing, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights: Finds a violation of Article 1,7 and Article 26 of the African Charter. Urges the Government of Eswatini to compensate the Victim a fair and equitable amount for the violation of his right to a fair trail in the Judicial Service Commission disciplinary proceedings”, reads the ruling, in part, by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.
Justice Minister Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments, human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko welcomed the ruling and described it as a positive development.
Judge Masuku has been vindicated as a Judge who applied himself in terms of law regardless who is before him. We hope one day he will come back and continue with his duties in the courts of Swaziland,” said the Human Rights Lawyer.
Judge Thomas Masuku(pic: The Namibian)