insert_link Business / Economics Moody’s affirms South Africa’s Ba2 rating with a stable outlook Moody's has affirmed South Africa's long-term debt ratings at "Ba2" with a stable outlook. The agency cited the country's strong institutions, like the judiciary and central bank, as credit strengths. However, persistent inequalities continue to hinder reforms and pose social risks, according to Moody's. todayDecember 4, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Zambia’s Hichilema fires judges over alleged misconduct Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has fired three top judges he had previously suspended for alleged judicial misconduct, pushing further accusations of political interference in the judiciary. According to the BBC, these judges were involved in a 2016 presidential petition where they dismissed Hichilema's challenge to former President Edgar Lungu's election victory. They also participated in a contentious ruling that allowed Lungu to run in the 2021 elections, despite his having […] todayOctober 22, 2024 15
insert_link Namibia Gobabis court fire raises safety concerns The Magistrates and Judges Association of Namibia has voiced serious concerns regarding the safety and security of judicial officers after an alarming arson attack on the Gobabis Magistrate’s Court. This incident, which occurred on 1 October 2024, involved an unknown individual setting fire to the public prosecutor’s office. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the fire resulted in significant damage to the office, highlighting the vulnerability of judicial facilities. In […] todayOctober 3, 2024 29
insert_link Africa Zambia’s President suspends three Constitutional Court Judges Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema suspended three Constitutional Court judges immediately, his office announced Monday, without providing the reasons. According to the Zambian Observer, the decision follows recommendations from a report submitted by the Judicial Complaints Commission. The three judges were appointed by Hichilema’s predecessor Edgar Lungu in 2016. todaySeptember 24, 2024 20
insert_link Africa Lesotho needs constitutional reforms to help gain political stability – but the latest attempt is flawed By Hoolo 'Nyane, University of Limpopo Lesotho, a small country landlocked by South Africa, has been struggling to make constitutional reforms since the advent of coalition politics in 2012. It needs the reforms to address political instability which has been a feature of the country for more than five decades. The judiciary, security agencies and civil service have been politicised, resulting in the institutions being […] todaySeptember 23, 2024 24
insert_link World Iran crash: President Raisi reported dead – what that might mean for the country and region Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, is reported by state media to have died following a helicopter crash. Iranian Presidency Office via AP By Eric Lob, Florida International University Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has been reported dead after the helicopter he was in crashed on May 19, 2024, is a consummate loyalist whose passing will be a severe blow to the country’s conservative leadership. While search and rescue teams […] todayMay 20, 2024 51
insert_link Namibia Judiciary addresses Presidential succession queries The Office of the Judiciary says there has been discourse around the Presidential succession of President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba following the untimely death of late President Dr. Hage Geingob. The Judiciary further says there have been journalists and members of the public asking for clarification on the constitution regarding the Presidential succession. Vikitoria Hango, the Deputy Director of Public Relations at the Office of the Judiciary explains. todayFebruary 22, 2024 26
insert_link South Africa UN selects South Africa’s Dire Tladi for ICJ role Professor Dire Tladi is set to be sworn in as South Africa’s first permanent judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague today. The former professor of international law at the University of Pretoria was elected by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. Tladi will serve a term of nine years as a member of the ICJ. todayFebruary 6, 2024 29
Local Namibia’s High Court Embraces Transparency in Judicial Appointments Windhoek, 28 November 2023 - In a pioneering move toward openness and accountability, the Judicial Service Commission (the Commission) has unveiled a groundbreaking approach to the selection process for judicial appointments to the High Court of Namibia. The decision, reached during the Commission's meeting on 15 September 2023, saw amendments to the Judicial Service Commission Regulations 2011 in accordance with Article 85(3) of the Namibian Constitution. The revised regulations, effective […] todayNovember 28, 2023 13