By Keiso Mohloboli
MASERU- Suspended Court of Appeal President Justice Michael Ramodibedi has resigned, ending his turbulent stay at the helm of Lesotho’s judiciary.
An authoritative source told the Lesotho Times that Ramodibedi, who early this month lost a court bid to stop impeachment proceedings against him instituted by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, reportedly submitted his resignation to King Letsie III’s office yesterday morning.
However, the source could not say why Ramodibedi had finally decided to throw in the towel after battling to remain Court of Appeal president since Thabane advised King Letsie III to establish a tribunal to investigate him for alleged misconduct on July 23 2013.
Ramodibedi, who celebrates his 69th birthday today and was sworn-in as Court of Appeal president in July 2008, was not available for comment when the Lesotho Times called his mobile phone yesterday.
A woman who answered the phone at around 5pm had initially asked this reporter to call again at 8pm.
However, when the Lesotho Times phoned at the suggested time, the lady, who could not state her relationship with the judge, who is also Swaziland’s Chief Justice, was no longer cooperative.
“He said he will not speak to reporters because he is not happy with the way the media has been handling his case over the years,” the woman said.
“The media has been reporting all sorts of things about him without affording him an opportunity to give his side of the story, so why are you looking for his comment now?”
However, the woman ended-up confirming Ramodibedi’s resignation, insisting: “He resigned because he wanted to go away from all the lies the media has been publishing about him. He wanted to rest and have peace of mind.”
The Lesotho Times late last night sought the comment of King Letsie III’s personal secretary, Mobotse Lerotholi, to no avail.
