Magistrates vie for High Court judge positions in public interviews

WINDHOEK, 14 MAR (NAMPA) - The Supreme Court was a hive of activity Friday morning as five experienced regional court magistrates from across the country competed for positions as civil and criminal stream judges for the High Court.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) conducted public interviews, with a panel comprising Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Attorney General Festus Mbandeka, Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb, and seasoned lawyers Elia Shikongo and Yoleta Campbell. The JSC had announced four High Court judicial vacancies - three in the civil stream and one in the criminal stream - in September last year.
The candidates are Makapa Simasiku who has served on the magistrate’s bench for 16 years; Victor Nyazo, who has also served on the bench for 16 years; Marelize du Plessis who has served as a magistrate for 25 years; Stanley Tembwe who has served in the magistracy for 17 years and Elvis Mwilima, who has served as a magistrate for 15 years.
The panel's questions covered key legal topics, including the president’s constitutional powers in imposing a state of emergency, presidential immunity, recusal procedures, handling circumstantial evidence, and aspects of criminal appeals and reviews.
Chief Justice Shivute informed candidates that while the commission does not provide housing to judges, a housing allowance is included in their remuneration.
The Judges’ Remuneration Act 18 of 1990 stipulates that High Court judges receive a housing allowance equivalent to that of a deputy minister. Additionally, the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice’s housing allowance matches that of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, respectively, while the Deputy Judge President and Supreme Court judges receive an allowance equivalent to that of a minister.
According to a 2018 government gazette, the Chief Justice earns N.dollars 1 706 144 annually and the Deputy Chief Justice N.dollars 1 645 406.
A Supreme Court Judge earns N.dollars 1 540 896, the Deputy Judge-President N.dollars 1 354 556, and a High Court Judge, N.dollars 1 248 636.
(NAMPA)
EB/EK/AS