EU sponsors advanced judicial officers’ training

. . . envoy decries centralised legal services

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU – The European Union (EU) ambassador to Lesotho, Paola Amadei, has underscored that the centralisation of the judiciary in the capital limits access to constitutional protection and legal services for those living outside Maseru.

She shared these concerns during a training workshop for judges and magistrates, focusing on corruption, economic crimes, money laundering, fraud, and cybercrime. The workshop is part of the EU’s Support for the Reform and Strengthening of Governance in Lesotho Programme. Amadei said the EU is actively supporting the decentralisation of justice services across Lesotho.

Through a programme implemented by the World Vision, children’s court infrastructure has been renovated in Berea, Leribe, and Mohale’s Hoek, providing safe and adequate spaces for children who appear in court as victims, witnesses, or as accused persons. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that justice is accessible to all citizens, regardless of their location.

“The programme is also supporting the judiciary in case management, enabling the collection of accurate data on cases handled. This process will, in the long run, enhance policymaking and improve the management of the administration of justice,” Amadei explained.

The activity they were launching, she said, embodies their collective commitment to enhancing the efficiency and quality of justice service delivery. Amadei also expressed the EU’s pride in supporting this critical training, which is specifically aimed at improving the judiciary’s capacity to adjudicate complex economic crimes.

The training will bring together 60 judges and magistrates from all districts of Lesotho, who will work with an international expert experienced in training judicial officers across various jurisdictions. On the government’s side, the Minister of Law and Justice, Richard Ramoeletsi, reiterated Lesotho’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary, citing the Administration of Judiciary Act of 2011.

The legislation was designed to ensure autonomous and accountable administration of the judiciary, providing a budget for the courts and addressing related matters. Ramoeletsi stressed the importance of equipping the judiciary with the knowledge and skills to handle corruption, money laundering, fraud and other financial crimes.

“This training is coming at an opportune time to enhance the capacity of the justice system to deal with aspects of both criminal and civil litigation.

“It will assist to convict criminals who abuse the financial system and to better handle forfeiture of assets related to the economic crimes. Money laundering poses a serious threat to the integrity of the economy, the financial system and the security of the citizens. The effects of corruption are wide ranging: corruption discourages investments, limits economic growth, and adversely alters the spending of government, often to the detriment of future economic growth; resources are diverted from their most beneficial,” he said.

Ramoeletsi emphasised the need to combat criminal activities by depriving criminals of their incentives and bringing them to justice. He also noted that societies and their legal landscapes are constantly evolving, making ongoing legal training essential for judges to work effectively throughout their careers.

Justice ’Maseforo Mahase expressed satisfaction with the workshop, noting it was a long time since such a comprehensive training was last held. She underlined the importance of the workshop in addressing the increasing crimes of money laundering and corruption.

“My learned colleagues should fully embrace and participate in this workshop to ensure its success,” Justice Mahase urged.

“We hear so much from the media about corruption and money laundering, but cases often seem to stall. Once again, the EU has come to our rescue, as it has in previous workshops of this kind. It is imperative that magistrates participate in this workshop and carry forth their duties with respect to these issues.”