BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
ZAKHELE – Former Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala has been remembered as a loyal servant of Their Majesties who transformed Eswatini’s judiciary while remaining committed to appointing and developing Emaswati judges.
Eswatini Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Simanga Mamba said Maphalala’s loyalty to Their Majesties was one of the defining aspects of his career, describing him as a fearless leader who served with dedication.
Mamba was speaking during the memorial service for Maphalala at the FEA Auditorium in Zakhele on Friday, where family, friends, colleagues and members of the legal fraternity gathered to honour his life and legacy.the
Mamba, who also spoke on behalf of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), said the commission extended its condolences to the Maphalala family following the death of the former Chief Justice.
He said Maphalala had repeatedly demonstrated his loyalty to Their Majesties throughout his career.
“He was very proud of his loyalty to Their Majesties,” Mamba said.
Beyond his loyalty, Mamba highlighted what he described as Maphalala’s significant contribution to the development of the country’s judiciary.
He said Maphalala’s tenure was characterised by an expansion of the judiciary, particularly through the appointment of Emaswati judges.
According to Mamba, all the judges appointed during Maphalala’s tenure were Emaswati, despite criticism from some quarters over whether certain individuals deserved judicial appointments.
Mamba said Maphalala did not allow such criticism to prevent him from giving people opportunities.
“He did not discard people whom some people regarded lowly. He gave them a chance,” Mamba said.
He said Maphalala was also protective and fatherly towards judges, adding that he cared deeply about their welfare.
Mamba said when Maphalala began serving as Chief Justice, the Supreme Court had only five judges, but the number had since increased to 16.
He said the High Court had also grown to 16 judges, while the Industrial Court, which previously had three judges, now had nine.
The former Chief Justice also left behind a complement of 37 magistrates deployed across the country, according to Mamba.
He further established a Small Claims Court and appointed commissioners to deal with minor cases, which Mamba said was another part of his contribution to improving access to justice.
Mamba also credited Maphalala with changing the physical structure of the judiciary by moving courts from being concentrated in one area to separate locations.
He said the Industrial Court now had its own building, as did the Industrial Court of Appeal, while the Supreme Court was moved to the former Central Bank building.
Mamba recalled that Maphalala had an office at the Supreme Court premises and said the former Chief Justice had developed a strong attachment to the new location.
“He loved his office at the Supreme Court,” Mamba said.
However, Mamba said Maphalala’s legacy was not limited to his professional achievements.
He described the former Chief Justice as a career civil servant and a family man who worked hard to ensure that his children received a proper education despite financial challenges.
Mamba recalled an incident when the media reportedly made fun of Maphalala after he sought a salary advance.
He said the incident demonstrated the lengths to which the former Chief Justice was prepared to go to ensure that his family was catered for.
“He had no money, but he ensured that his children got proper education,” Mamba said.
Mamba used Maphalala’s life to deliver a message to people holding positions of power and influence, warning them to consider the legacy they would leave for their children.
He said people could essentially leave their children either a good name or a bad name.
He cautioned those in positions of authority against using state institutions to fight personal battles, saying such conduct could damage their reputations and ultimately affect their children.
Mamba said a good name could open doors for children even after their parents had passed away, while a bad name could have the opposite effect.
He said Maphalala had left his children a good name and that he would remain willing to assist them because of the relationship he had with their father.
“I will always be willing to assist because of the Chief Justice,” Mamba said.
He described Maphalala as a good soul who was not someone who sought confrontation.
Mamba said the former Chief Justice had therefore left behind both a professional and personal legacy that would continue to be remembered within the judiciary and beyond.
He said Maphalala had served the country with dedication and had made a lasting contribution to the development of the justice system.
#ChiefJusticeBhekiMaphalala #BhekiMaphalala #EswatiniJudiciary #JudicialServiceCommission #TheirMajesties #Eswatini
