BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LAWUBA– The late Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala was remembered for delivering fair judgments, even when his decisions displeased government.
Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, who represented Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, said Maphalala did not allow government interests to influence his judgments.
Speaking during the Chief Justice’s funeral service at Lawuba on Saturday, Dlamini said Maphalala sometimes delivered judgments that government was unhappy with.
He said government nevertheless understood that the Chief Justice’s responsibility was not to please those in power but to apply the law fairly.
“He was not working to please government but was working according to the law,” Dlamini said.
The minister said an analysis of Maphalala’s judgments would show that he consistently sought to deliver fair decisions.
Dlamini acknowledged that judging was not an easy responsibility, saying Maphalala nevertheless carried out his duties diligently alongside other judges.
He said the late Chief Justice had also played an important role in clarifying the separation of powers between the Judiciary, Legislature and Executive.
The Law Society of Eswatini Secretary General Thulani Sibandze also highlighted Maphalala’s contribution to the development of the country’s justice system.
Sibandze said the legal fraternity had lost one of its members and credited Maphalala with introducing Small Claims Courts and Commercial Courts.
He also said Maphalala oversaw the separation of different courts into separate buildings, including the Industrial Court, High Court and Supreme Court.
Sibandze said Lawuba had been blessed to have Maphalala as one of its prominent members.
The late Chief Justice was also remembered for his role in traditional leadership at Kontjingila, where speakers said he provided guidance on what was right and wrong.
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