WINDHOEK – Namibia’s Judge President Petrus Damaseb was yesterday sworn in as the new deputy chief justice – a move necessitated by the recently gazetted constitutional amendments.
The amendment Act that was promulgated on October 13 expressly gives constitutional recognition to the chief justice as the head of the judiciary, separate from the Ministry of Justice.
The envisaged Office of the Judiciary will be responsible for the supervision of the judiciary and exercise responsibility over the judiciary and monitor the norms and standards for the exercise of the judicial functions of all courts.
An accounting officer had to be designated, subject to the direction and control of the chief justice, and will perform the functions as the head of the administration of the judiciary with the assistance of other staff members.
The Act states that the judge president of the High Court shall be the deputy chief justice.
The Act reads that the financial and other administrative matters of the High Court and Supreme Court shall be performed in such a manner that the independence of the judiciary can be effectively and practically promoted and guaranteed by means of appropriate legislative and administrative measures.
This will be the responsibility of the deputy chief justice.
Speaking yesterday, Chief Justice Peter Shivute said that the amendments introduced important changes that were meant to ensure that the judiciary enjoys administrative and financial autonomy in keeping with the important constitutional principles of the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
“Daunting as the envisaged changes I have just alluded to are, they must be embraced by all of us. They are necessary for our country; they are necessary for its people,” the chief justice stressed.
He called upon all to embrace the changes and to give full expression and meaning to the constitutional amendments.
Damaseb told New Era that he is looking forward to the challenge of being both the country’s judge president and deputy chief justice.
“It is a great honour for me and I am looking forward to embracing the challenge head-on,” he said, continuing that it is an enormous responsibility but one that he is ready for.
He said that the constitutional amendments were necessary to separate the judiciary from the central government and make it fully independent as envisaged in the constitution.
According to Damaseb, he firmly believes that every lawman welcomes this most important development. The event was attended by Minister of Justice Uutoni Nujoma, the Attorney-General Albert Kawana, various judges of the Supreme Court and High Court and various other personalities in the law profession.