BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Government has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, describing his death as the end of a significant period in the leadership of Eswatini’s Judiciary.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, in a statement issued on Friday, extended condolences on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Government and the people of Eswatini to the Chief Justice’s family and loved ones.
“Government has learnt with profound sorrow of the sudden passing of the Chief Justice, His Lordship Bheki Maphalala,” said the Prime Minister.
He also conveyed condolences to members of the Bench, the legal fraternity, the Chief Justice’s close associates and those who worked with him in the administration of justice.
Maphalala had served on the Bench for more than a decade, having first served as a High Court Judge before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2011. He was appointed Chief Justice in 2015.
The Prime Minister said Maphalala led the Judiciary during an important and consequential period in the development of the country’s justice system.
“His passing marks the close of a significant period in the leadership of the Kingdom’s Judiciary,” said Dlamini.
During his tenure, Maphalala was involved in several initiatives aimed at strengthening the administration of justice and modernising the Judiciary.
Among these was the advancement of digital justice systems. The Judiciary worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on projects including remote remand participation, while in March this year it conducted a change-management session to prepare judicial officers for the transition to the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).
The Chief Justice also played a prominent role in regional judicial affairs. He served as Chairperson of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices Forum and represented Eswatini at regional and international judicial platforms.
In May this year, Maphalala addressed judges and legal practitioners during a specialised programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and electoral justice. He highlighted the growing impact of AI, digital technologies and electronic electoral systems on electoral governance and the administration of justice. Eswatini was selected as one of the pilot jurisdictions for the programme.
His regional work also included advocacy for judicial independence, the rule of law and human rights. In a 2025 address at the Constitutional Court of South Africa’s milestone celebration, Maphalala spoke about the importance of judicial independence and the protection of fundamental rights.
At home, he continued to oversee matters concerning the administration and accountability of the Judiciary. In March 2026, a Commission of Inquiry into the Master of the High Court submitted its final report to Maphalala following investigations into allegations of maladministration, abuse of power and alleged embezzlement of estate funds.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dlamini said the late Chief Justice had consistently affirmed the principle of judicial independence.
The Prime Minister prayed for comfort and strength for all those affected by the loss.
“May the Almighty God comfort all who mourn his passing and grant them fortitude in the days ahead and may the soul of His Lordship Bheki Maphalala rest in eternal peace,” said the Prime Minister.
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