By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Members of the public are invited to make their submissions on the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the operations of the office of the Master of the High Court.
The invitation was extended to the public by the commission, which took an oath of office today at the Industrial Court of Appeal in Mbabane. The oath of office was led by Supreme Court Judge Sabelo Matsebula, who expressed confidence in the crop of judges appointed to do tackle the task at hand.
Matsebula said these judges had a good track record and he had no doubt that they were going to do the work independently, diligently and with honesty and integrity. He also expressed hope that the commission would make the report available to the public.
Supreme Court Judge Majahenkhaba Dlamini, who is the chairperson of the commission, said the commission was still to determine a suitable venue for the commission to work. The venue also had to consider a place that would be accessible to the general public. The judge mentioned that the Master of the High Court had offices in various places across the country.
He said they considered if it would be suitable for the commission to use any of the offices or an independent area. Dlamini also stated that the commission would decide if the public would be allowed to listen to testimonies as they were given or not. Regarding the protection of witnesses, the commission pleaded with the nation not to be afraid because nothing suggested that witnesses could be in danger after testifying.
High Court Judge Mzwandile Fakudze, who is the deputy chairperson of the committee, allayed fears that could come with testifying before this commission. Judge Fakudze reminded the nation that people had been testifying at the High Court during sensitive murder trials, but at the end, nothing would happen to the witnesses who gave the testimonies.
A report on this commission of enquiry is supposed to be issued after six months from now. The commission of enquiry was appointed on Tuesday by Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala at the High Court in Mbabane. CJ Maphalala, when appointing the commission, stated that he acted in line with the submissions of the public during Sibaya, which was held in October last year.
Maphalala pleaded with the nation to submit only what was true before the commission, as anything false would result in them paying a fine of E1 000 or spending six months in jail. The commission consists of Supreme Court Judge Majahenkhaba Dlamini (Chairperson), High Court Judge Mzwandile Fakudze (Deputy Chairperson), Industrial Court Judge President Sifiso Nsibande, High Court Judge Maxine Langwenya, Industrial Court Judge Lorraine Hlophe, and Supreme Court Registrar Siphiwo Masuku.
