By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: The speculation suggesting that King Mswati might remove Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala is escalating within the corridors of power.

This journalist received detailed briefing on Saturday afternoon from a highly influential insider very close to Mswati, on how the matter of the Chief Justice is playing out in the political and royal circles.

But a few individuals closer to Mswati are believed to be providing the necessary advice and a possible successor(known to this publication) who might take over as the new CJ has already been identified.

The Judiciary has been grounded for almost a year now without the Judiciary Service Commission(JSC),Acting Judges of the High Court,Industrial Court and Magistrates are currently at home with no employment contracts.

“It seems the King wants more time to decide whether to remove the Chief Justice or not, as we speak there’s no JSC”, said the source very close to the matter.

Reached for comments earlier on the subject matter, King Mswati’s Spokesperson told this Swaziland News that, the appointment of the Judicial Service Commission “is a process” adding that, it might be soon.

“Our experience is that there is no calendar date for the appointments in question and that to pool such a team is a process and not an occasion.It would,therefore,be difficult to figure out when the announcement will be made.We believe stakeholders too,would rather have it done right for many weeks than rushed to meet a deadline half-heatedly”,said the King’s Spokesperson.

Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala declined to comment about the matter.

When SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff, an alleged friend to Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala met King Mswati recently, it was alleged that, the King might appoint the JSC as Ashraff was alleged to have told Mswati not to fire the Chief Justice. 

But the source further told this publication that, the Chief Justice subsequently tried several times to meet the King, in an attempt to plead for the appointment of the JSC however, Mswati allegedly refused to meet him raising more suspicion that the King wanted more time to consult on the matter.

It remains unclear whether the CJ will be removed or not but, the Judicial is currently grounded with no JSC.

The JSC is a Commission tasked with the appointment of Judges including Acting Judges and Magistrates.

Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala stands accused of fraud and corruption and has allegedly tarnished the reputation of the judiciary.