MBABANE:Sdumo Mdladla, the Vice President of the Law Society of Eswatini(LSE) has warned that, the persecution of lawyers will trigger a judicial crisis.
Speaking during a press conference held in Mbabane on Friday, the Vice President described the incarceration of Law Society President Mangaliso Magagula as very unfortunate, the lawyer was subsequently welcomed by Justice Minister Prince Simelane after being released by Judge Mumcy Dlamini on Friday.
“These developments have far reaching effects in the whole system of justice, this includes the courts, the Police, the Correctional Services and the Law Society.This is mainly because we have noted the divergence and inconsistencies in the approach to the developments. We have a Registrar who has gone to Court to insist on the incarceration of the President. On the one hand, the Correctional Services had released the President after the consideration of the Court papers before them based on their experience whilst on the other hand, the office of the Attorney General appears to agree with the position of the above departments.This alone speaks volumes of the developments of this matter”, he said.
The Vice President said as matters stand,it would appear as though the Law Society has been shocked to the point of immobility, given its lack of public comment, on the event leading to the continued incarceration of the Law Society President.
“The Law Society cannot be silent on the matter as it affects the rights and duties of its members directly, and impacts on the administration of justice. We have had our counter-parts comment at the state of affairs whilst we have decided to monitor the development closely. The result has been catastrophic beyond measure. In all of these developments, the rule of law has suffered and the confidence of the public has been tested.It is extremely unfortunate and catastrophic that an attorney of the High Court who happens to be senior and is the President of the Law Society finds himself in jail in a matter where he represents a client. It is unfortunate that the High Court has felt that its authority has been undermined to a great extent by an offer of the Court”, he added.
Law Society of Eswatini(LSE) welcomes release of President Mangaliso Magagula by Judge Mumcy Dlamini, Vice President Sdumo Mdladla says persecution of lawyers to trigger judicial crisis.