BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MANZINI – Namibia Chief Justice Peter Shivute has paid glowing tribute to the late Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, describing him as a humble judicial leader whose quiet strength, generous spirit and commitment to justice earned him respect across the region.
Speaking during Maphalala’s State Memorial Service at Zakhele Free Evangelical Church in Manzini today, Shivute said he worked closely with the late Chief Justice through the Southern and Eastern African Chief Justices Forum, where Maphalala served with distinction and later became chairperson.
“I found him to be a leader of quiet strength and generous spirit and a good man at heart,” Shivute said.
He said Maphalala was highly respected in the international judicial community and made a significant contribution to regional and international judicial bodies.
Shivute further remembered him as a leader who carried the weight of his office with humility while remaining ready to offer counsel, encouragement and support to fellow judicial leaders.
He said Maphalala’s service to Eswatini went beyond ceremony, pointing to the difficult decisions and unseen work required to keep courts functioning for the people who depend on them.
