LSB queries judges chosen for Khama case :: Mmegi Online

The Law Society of Botswana (LSB) has expressed reservations about the process used to appoint a panel of three judges who will hear a case in which the legal body is suing President Ian Khama over his rejection of a nominee for High Court judge.

The panel will comprise Justices Singh Walia, Abednico Tafa and Phadi Solomon. The dispute between the Society and Khama arose in March after the LSB learnt that the President had rejected the appointment of prominent attorney, Omphemetse Motumise to the High Court as per the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommendations.

Motumise is a former chairperson of the LSB and a former Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) deputy chairperson. Khama subsequently appointed Zein Kebonang as acting High Court judge. Available documents indicate that on Monday, LSB executive secretary, Tebogo Moipolai noticed the Society’s counsel that the organisation had written to the Registrar of the High Court seeking clarity on the process employed to constitute the judges’ panel.

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