Iuze Mukube

Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula was officially sworn in to serve as a judge of the Supreme Court yesterday. 

He replaces retired Supreme Court jurist Justice Dave Smuts. Chief Justice Peter Shivute officiated at the ceremony.  “Justice Angula joins the Supreme Court bench after an impressive tenure at the High Court, where he served as the first Deputy Judge President since 2015.

“His judicial acumen has already been demonstrated through his acting role as a Judge of the Supreme Court since 2018. His permanent appointment will undoubtedly strengthen the nation’s apex court”, stated Chief Justice Shivute.

Justice Angula pledged alliance to the Constitution, as the supreme law of the country.  Shivute paid tribute to Justice Smuts, stating that his contributions have left an indelible mark not only on the judiciary, but also on the nation.

Smut’s journey in the law profession began in 1982. He served as an attorney in the Supreme Court of the then-South West Africa, and went on to be a professional assistant at Lorentz & Bone, where he quickly rose to become a partner.

In 1988, he established the Legal Assistance Centre as its founding director.

 He was awarded an internationally-recognised Human Rights Award from Human Rights Watch, New York on 10 December 1990.

He then served the nation in various commissions, including the Wiehahn Commission of Inquiry into Labour Legislation, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Amnesty of Prisoners, as well as the Law Reform Commission of Namibia. 

Smuts was a member of the Judicial Service Commission of Namibia from 2000.

He has contributed to the development of legal literature, having written various publications which have enriched the understanding and practice of the law.

 “Smuts’ judgements across various branches of law have left a permanent imprint on our jurisprudence, providing precedents that will guide legal thought throughout generations to come”, Shivute said.

In his farewell speech, Smuts stated that serving this nation has been his greatest honour, and he now leaves the Supreme Court in capable hands, knowing that justice will remain the cornerstone of the country’s democracy.  -mukubeiuze@gmail.com