MBABANE: Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala has issued a statement,blasting Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Prince Sidzindzi Simelane and all those who questioned the legality of the Commission of Enquiry into allegations of corruption within the Master of the High Court’s Office.
In the statement issued on Friday,the Chief Justice who stands accused of looting public funds within the Master’s Office, maintained that, the Judiciary “is independent” hence the probe will continue until the end.
This comes after the Justice Minister and the Law Society of Swaziland(LSS) opposed the establishment of the Commission on the basis that,it was illegally.
The Law Society cited the Commission of Enquiry Act of 1963 that empowers the Minister to appoint or establish the Commission.
But in the statement and/or in reaction to the ongoing criticism with regards to the establishment of the Commission,the Chief Justice said,no Minister or Government should exercise power of administrative control and supervision over the Judiciary as such is unconstitutional.
Efforts to seek a comment from Justice Minister Prince Simelane proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Saturday morning, Charity Simelane,the Secretary of the Law Society of Swaziland(LSS) said,they were aware of the latest statement issued by the Chief Justice.
But Secretary General of the Law Society maintained that,the organization for legal practitioners stands by the letter dated 22nd January 2024 addressed to the CJ where they stated categorically that,the Commission of Enquiry must be disbanded on the basis that,it was established illegally.
“We are aware of the statement issued by the Chief Justice but, we stand by the letter dated 22nd January 2024”, said the Secretary General of the Law Society.
Justice Minister Prince Simelane.