THE Law Society of Eswatini (LSE) says it had been looking forward to engaging the late Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala on key issues affecting the Judiciary, the legal profession and the broader administration of justice before his death.
Maphalala passed away in the early hours of last Thursday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in South Africa.
In a statement mourning his death, the LSE said it was particularly saddened by the fact that its incoming executive had been hoping to meet and engage with Maphalala as a major stakeholder in the administration of justice.
“We were still looking forward to meeting and engaging with the honourable chief justice as a major stakeholder in the administration of justice,” the Law Society said.
The society said it had anticipated a meaningful engagement with Maphalala on matters affecting the Judiciary, the legal profession and the broader justice system, with a shared commitment to strengthening the rule of law and improving the delivery of justice.
“It is, therefore, with regret that we mourn a leader with whom we had hoped to embark upon that important engagement,” reads the statement.
The statement comes as the legal fraternity joins the nation in mourning Maphalala, whose death has left a vacancy at the helm of the Judiciary and brought an end to the leadership of a figure who occupied an office of immense constitutional significance.
The LSE described his passing as a loss not only to his family, but also to the administration of justice, the legal profession and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
It extended its condolences to Their Majesties, the Eswatini Government, the Judiciary, Maphalala’s family, the legal fraternity and the nation.
The society further said the chief justice’s departure had left a void within the justice system, highlighting the importance of the office he held.
While the anticipated engagement with Maphalala will no longer take place, the LSE said his death would not derail its commitment to issues central to the justice system.
The society pledged to continue advancing professional excellence, judicial independence, access to justice and the strengthening of the legal fraternity.
It called on the nation and legal profession to honour Maphalala’s memory by upholding the values of justice, integrity and service to the people.
“May the soul of the late honourable chief justice rest in eternal peace,” the society said, while offering its condolences and prayers for comfort to his family.
Meanwhile, the public, churches and various stakeholders also kept conveying their condolences to the Maphalala family.
Some mourners went to the Judges Complex at Thembelihle where the CJ resided.
However, when members of the media visited the house where mourners conveyed their condolences yesterday, they were asked to give the family a private time to mourn Maphalala.
