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By Moreen Majiwa - Mzalendo Contributor
21 days after the deadline for the appointment of the Chief Justice, the Judicial Service Commission is finally getting down to the task of short-listing candidates for the position.
Despite the delays, missed deadlines, and the controversy surrounding the nominations/appointments to the position of Chief Justice the moment remains historic as never in the country’s history has the position for Chief Justice or Deputy Chief Justice been filled through a competitive process.
According to the Interim Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission Professor Christine Mango the commission has received 24 applications for the position of Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice. The commission will be meeting next week to review the applications and set a date for the interviews.
Apart from the constitutional and statutory qualifications of the candidates i.e. “a high moral character, integrity and impartiality,” the requisite legal qualification and 15 years experience. As well as demonstrated high degree of professional competence, communication skills, fairness, good temperament, making good judgements in both legal and life experience and commitment to public and community service.
There are few more interesting things to look out for in the candidates, the first being financial propriety. The advertisement for the positions of Chief Justice and their deputy required that the applicants make a declaration of income and liabilities at the time of making the application and that those who are in Government in employment i.e. applicants who are already part of the judiciary, attach copies of returns of declaration of income and liabilities and for those in private practice attach income tax returns for the last three years.’
The advertisement for the position further required that the bio data submitted by candidates as part of the application process reveal any involvement in political activity including any financial contribution to any political party.
These requirements are there to ensure that the persons who get these jobs are beyond reproach and seen to be so. The requirements will ensure judicial independence.
After the selection process those shortlisted will be required to appear for an oral interview, there’s no word on whether or not the oral part of the interview will be public, we hope so?
In the meantime the government has announced that no applications have been received for the position of the Director of Public Prosecutions…one wonders why that is?
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