No one is faultless – King

MANZINI – His Majesty the King says no one is without fault in this planet earth.

Their Majesties were speaking through the Judicial Commissioner of Eswatini National Courts, Hhansense Dlamini, at the memorial of the late Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala yesterday.

The service was held at Zakhele Free Evangelical Assemblies (FEA) in Manzini.  According to Dlamini, the late King Sobhuza II, in one of his speeches, said, ‘akunaligeza lingenasici’. This means there is no one who is without a flaw or blemish. He also said ‘we are all human’.

He began his speech by expressing disappointment that none of the speakers had mentioned anything to do with Swazi National Courts.

He asked that Swazi National Courts be recognised. Dlamini described Maphalala as a humble and down-to-earth man, who never raised his voice.

Their Majesties passed their condolences to the Maphalala family. They descried him as a hard worker, which was echoed by other speakers. Maphalala was part of the Citizenship Board and participated in drafting the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini. He said he was happy that the Constitution gives women in this country power. However, lamented that the women did not seem to notice the power they have.

During his speech, Their Majesty’s representative also mentioned that Maphalala had five wives, who are not just women due to the position he held at KoNtshingila, where he was the Indvuna Yemcuba. “Emakhosi ayanililela sive sa-KoNtshingila’.  Their Majesties also sent condolences to the Judiciary. They encouraged Maphalala’s children to stay united and not allow outside elements to divide them. “Let us all support Maphalala’s children. All of them.”

Meanwhile, government said the late chief justice devoted his life to the pursuit of justice.

Government made the remarks during a memorial service held at the Zakhele FEA New Auditorium in Ngwane Park yesterday, where it paid tribute to Maphalala’s contribution to Eswatini’s constitutional and legal development.

Speaking on behalf of His Majesty’s government, the government representative described Maphalala as a patriot, jurist, constitutionalist and servant of the Crown whose career was closely linked to important chapters in the country’s legal history.

The government highlighted his role in the constitutional reform process, noting that he served as Secretary of the Constitutional Review Commission before becoming a member of the Constitutional Drafting Committee. His participation contributed to the process that culminated in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini of 2005. Maphalala’s judicial career began in 2009, when he was appointed a Judge of the High Court. He was also appointed Secretary of the first Citizenship Board established under the new Constitution. Two years later, he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

In 2015, Maphalala was appointed Chief Justice, becoming the first liSwati to hold the country’s highest judicial office. Government said his appointments reflected confidence in his knowledge of the law, experience and ability to carry significant responsibilities.

As Chief Justice, Maphalala also chaired the Judicial Service Commission, which oversees matters relating to judicial appointments, independence and disciplinary issues within the courts. Government said he strongly defended constitutional rights and the separation of powers among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. His tenure was also associated with several developments within the justice system.

Government cited the appointment of additional judges, including Industrial Court judges, as well as the establishment of the Commercial Court and Small Claims Court.

A permanent Industrial Court of Appeal was also established during his tenure.

Beyond his judicial responsibilities, Maphalala maintained strong ties with his community and traditional roots. Government noted that he accepted the traditional responsibility of indvuna yemcuba of the Lawuba Royal Kraal, while serving in senior judicial office, describing this as evidence of his continued commitment to community and service. Government representative said colleagues would remember Maphalala for his intellect, command of the law, forthright manner and professional responsibility.

His influence on younger members of the legal fraternity and the opportunities he created for those who followed were also acknowledged. Government said Maphalala’s legacy would continue through the Constitution, the Judiciary, the legal profession and the practitioners he mentored.

Government extended condolences to Maphalala’s family, the Judiciary, legal fraternity, people of Lawuba and all those mourning his death. It said his years of service, constitutional contribution, loyalty to the Crown and commitment to the nation would not be forgotten. His service, government said, would remain part of the kingdom’s institutional history for generations. The memorial service concluded with a prayer for comfort and strength for the bereaved family, and a message of hope drawn from Revelation 21:4, with government asking that Maphalala’s soul rest in eternal peace.