Former Senate President Gelane Zwane remembers late Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala as a lifelong colleague, constitutional architect and crucial national resource.
She said she was struggling to come to terms with the death of the CJ, describing his passing as a devastating loss to the nation and His Majesty King Mswati III. Zwane, who worked closely with Maphalala for decades, said she was left at a loss for words following the news of his death.
“I am in a bad state. I am numb. I am at a loss for words,” Zwane said, recalling the long relationship she shared with the late chief justice.
Their relationship stretched back to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), where both were appointed by His Majesty and worked together on processes that culminated in the drafting of the national Constitution of 2005.
Zwane said that period forged a strong working relationship between them, as they dealt with important constitutional questions concerning the country’s future. Their association also extended into their traditional home environment where CJ Maphalala was indvuna during the time when Zwane served as acting chief of Kontshingila for a long period.
“We worked together even back home,” she said, adding that their relationship had, therefore, developed across both public and traditional spheres.
She described Maphalala’s death as not simply the loss of a senior judicial officer, but the departure of a person she regarded as an important national asset.
“This is a huge loss for the nation and king,” she said.
Zwane said she could say a lot about Maphalala, only if she was in a better condition.
The late chief justice was appointed to the High Court in 2009 and to the Supreme Court in 2011.
He became acting chief justice in 2015 before being confirmed into the position later that year. He was the first Liswati to serve permanently on the country’s highest court and the first Liswati to occupy the position of chief justice. Maphalala died on Thursday with reports indicating that he had been receiving treatment at a hospital in South Africa.
HIGHLIGHTS DURING MAPHALALA’S TENURE
-
Maphalala’s tenure as chief justice saw the Judiciary engage with major institutional and technological changes, while also taking on a stronger regional role.
-
Among the developments during his leadership was the Judiciary’s transition towards the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS). In March this year, the Judiciary held a change-management session to prepare judicial officers for the transition to digital case management.
-
The late CJ also presided over efforts to strengthen accountability within the Judiciary. A Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations involving the Master of the High Court completed its work in March 2026 and submitted its report to Maphalala. The final report was subsequently published by the Judiciary in August 2026.
-
Maphalala also became a prominent voice for judicial independence and justice reform on the continent. As chairperson of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum (SEACJF), he represented Eswatini in regional and continental judicial engagements.
-
In 2025, he addressed the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights on reparatory justice and argued for a stronger role for African judiciaries in addressing historical and continuing injustices.
-
He was also increasingly focused on the impact of technology on justice. In May, he addressed judges and legal practitioners on artificial intelligence, digital technology and electoral justice, noting that Eswatini had been selected as one of the pilot jurisdictions for specialised judicial training.
-
In another major regional intervention, he called for stronger protection of judicial independence and warned against political interference with courts, describing such interference as a threat to the rule of law and good governance.
JSC mourns the late CJ
The Judiciary has paid tribute to the late Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala for his service to the nation, describing him as a leader who served with integrity and unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and administration of justice in the country.
“His passing is a huge and irreplaceable loss not only to the Judiciary of Eswatini and the Legal fraternity, but to the Eswatini government and the nation at large,” the statement read.
“On behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, the Queen Mother, Government, the Judiciary and the nation, the ministry extended its condolences to the Maphalala family, his loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time of mourning of the nation.”
The Judiciary said it was working in consultation with government and the Maphalala family on subsequent funeral arrangements.
Chief Justice Maphalala led the Judiciary during a period of significant legal and constitutional matters in the country.
Further updates on memorial and funeral proceedings are expected from the Judiciary in the coming days.
