King Mswati III of Swaziland has fired his Chief
Justice Michael Ramodibedi for ‘serious misbehaviour’.
The King, who rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan
Africa’s last absolute monarch, signed a legal notice on Wednesday (17 June
2015).
The King, who appoints all government
ministers and top judges and who appointed Ramodibedi, cited the Swaziland Constitution
in announcing his decision.
The dismissal is with immediate effect. Ramodibedi
had been suspended from office pending the outcome of a hearing of the Judicial
Service Commission (JSC) into allegations of abuse of office.
The JSC heard
evidence against Ramodibedi on 9 June 2015. Ramodibedi was not present at the hearing, citing
illness. No defence against the allegations was given.
Ramodibedi faced three charges. They were:
1. Abuse of office – In
the allocation of the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) matter which was heard to hear a case brought by
Ramodibedi against the SRA for taxing
his gratuity to the amount of E128 000 (US$12,800).
2. Abuse of office – In
the hearing of the Impunzi Wholesalers (PTY) Ltd v The Swaziland Revenue Authority, in
which it is alleged wealthy businessmen offered judges E2 million to help them
win their case against the SRA involving the importation of goods into the
kingdom.
3. Abuse of office in
order to achieve an ulterior motive – In the hearing of the Estate Policy matter, where it is alleged Ramodibedi appointed
three acting High Court judges to hear the case when their terms of office had
expired.
Following the hearing, the JSC reported to King
Mswati who then made the decision to sack his Chief Justice.
See also
CHIEF JUSTICE CASE HEARD IN HIS ABSENCE
SWAZI CHIEF JUSTICE FIGHTS FOR HIS JOB
JURISTS:
DEEP FLAWS IN JUSTICE SYSTEM
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