BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Former Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala has been remembered for leaving behind an expanded judiciary, with more judges, magistrates, specialised courts and improved court infrastructure than he inherited when he took over as head of the Judiciary.
Eswatini Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Simanga Mamba said Maphalala’s tenure was marked by significant growth of the country’s judicial institutions and the appointment of Emaswati to the Bench.
Mamba was speaking during the memorial service for the late Chief Justice 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.
Mamba said Maphalala had made a significant contribution to the development of the Judiciary during his tenure and as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) they are proud of him for that.
He said when Maphalala assumed leadership, the Supreme Court had only five judges.
That number, according to Mamba, had grown to 16 by the time of his death.
He said the High Court had also expanded to 16 judges, while the Industrial Court, which previously had three judges, had increased to nine.
Mamba said Maphalala had also left behind 37 magistrates serving in different parts of the country.
He further credited the late Chief Justice with establishing a Small Claims Court and appointing commissioners to deal with minor cases.
Mamba said the expansion had not only been in terms of personnel but also infrastructure.
He said Maphalala oversaw the separation of the courts into different locations, with the Industrial Court having its own building, the Industrial Court of Appeal having its own premises and the Supreme Court being moved to the former Central Bank building.
“He moved the Supreme Court to another location,” Mamba said.
He explained that previously, the different courts were concentrated in the area where the High Court is currently located.
Mamba said the late Chief Justice was particularly fond of his office at the new Supreme Court premises.
“He loved his office there,” he said.
Another key part of Maphalala’s legacy, according to Mamba, was his commitment to appointing Emaswati to the Bench.
Mamba said all the judges appointed by Maphalala were Emaswati, although some appointments attracted criticism from people who questioned whether certain candidates deserved to be appointed.
He said Maphalala nevertheless gave people opportunities and did not discard individuals who were regarded by some as being of little importance.
“He did not discard people whom some people regarded lowly. He gave them a chance,” Mamba said.
He added that Maphalala was protective of judges and treated them in a fatherly manner.
Beyond the expansion highlighted by Mamba, Maphalala’s tenure also coincided with significant efforts to modernise the administration of justice.
The Judiciary moved towards the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), with judicial officers undergoing change-management preparations in March 2026 as part of the transition to digital case management.
The Judiciary also showcased a virtual remand court system during Maphalala’s tenure, as part of efforts undertaken with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen access to justice.
Maphalala’s tenure also saw the Judiciary taking on a stronger regional role.
He served as chairperson of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum (SEACJF), through which he participated in regional judicial engagements and discussions on judicial independence, justice reform and emerging challenges facing African judiciaries.
In May 2026, he addressed judges and legal practitioners on artificial intelligence, digital technologies and electoral justice.
Under his leadership, Eswatini was selected as one of the pilot jurisdictions for specialised judicial training on AI and electoral justice, alongside Nigeria and Senegal. The Judiciary said Eswatini would become the first African country to host the specialised training.
The former Chief Justice also presided over the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into allegations involving the Master of the High Court. The commission completed its work in March 2026 and submitted its report to Maphalala, with the final report subsequently published by the Judiciary in August.
Mamba said Maphalala’s contribution extended beyond institutional achievements, describing him as a fearless career civil servant who cared deeply about his family and those who worked under him.
He also remembered the late Chief Justice as a loyal servant of Their Majesties.
Mamba said Maphalala had been proud of his loyalty to Their Majesties and had served the country with dedication.
He said the former Chief Justice was also not a person who sought confrontation and described him as a good soul.
Mamba said Maphalala’s legacy should serve as a lesson to people in positions of power and influence, particularly on the importance of leaving behind a good name.
He said Maphalala had left his children a good name, just as he had left the Judiciary an expanded institution with more judges, magistrates, courts and modern systems than he found when he assumed office.
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