Tefo Tefo
Court of Appeal President, Justice Kananelo Mosito will next Tuesday announce trial dates for 38 cases to be heard in the court’s first session for 2015 scheduled for 20 April to 5 May.
The roll’s announcement would be Justice Mosito’s first assignment since assuming the presidency in January this year.
The appointment, made by King Letsie III on the advice of then Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, was however, heavily criticised by some of the country’s top lawyers for its timing as it was done when Parliament had been dissolved and the premier was now leading a caretaker government. The lawyers argued because of this development, the premier no longer the powers to make such a recommendation to His Majesty.
Attorney General Tšokolo Makhethe also unsuccessfully challenged the appointment in the Constitutional Court after arguing only cabinet had the right to make such a recommendation to the King, paving the way for Dr Mosito to continue with his duties as head of the country’s apex court.
Meanwhile, the Lesotho Times is reliably informed that foreign judges to preside over the cases are still being sourced following the resignation of four South Africans in protest at Dr Mosisto’s appointment.
The judges who resigned were Douglas Scott, Craig Howie, Wilfred Thring and Roger Cleaver.
Justice Scott had been Acting Court of Appeal President since the resignation of Justice Michael Ramodibedi in April last year, and it is believed he had expected to land the post on a permanent basis.
