Justice Nathane is no more

SBONGILE MATHE

MASERU – High Court Judge Hopolang Nathane is no more. The judge passed away on Tuesday this week at a hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He was appointed to the bench following Judicial Services Commission (JSC) interviews that were held in February 2022. Subsequently, he was appointed to the bench in March and became a senior judge of the Northern Division of the High Court at Tsifa-Li-Mali in Leribe.

Justice Nathane had been ill since January this year prompting some judges of the High Court to assist at the Ts’ifa li Mali court. Justice Makampong Mokhoro now remains the only judge at that court which covers cases from Berea, Leribe, Butha-Buthe and Mokhotlong. As a result, the judiciary may need to find Justice Nathane’s replacement soon. Justice Nathane’s death leaves a total of 15 judges on the whole bench, including Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane.

Other Justices are: Tseliso Monapathi, ‘Maseforo Mahase, Molefi Makara, Moroke Mokhesi, Keketso Moahloli, Polo Banyane, Realeboha Mathaba, Fumane Khabo,. Moneuoa Kopo, ’Mafelile Ralebese ’Mabatsoeneng Hlaele Tseliso Mokoko, and ’Maliepollo Makhetha.