The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) conducted public interviews to fill vacancies in the High Court’s criminal and civil divisions.

The initiative to hold public interviews for the appointment of High Court Judges follows amendments to the JSC regulations in November of 2023, which mandated that interviews for judicial service candidates be conducted publicly.

The first candidate to appear before the five-member panel, chaired by Chief Justice Peter Shivute, was Makapa Simasiku, a University of Namibia graduate with 16 years of judicial experience.

Simasiku said he is impartial and dedicated to delivering justice.

Windhoek Regional Court Magistrate Victor Nyazo, who joined the judiciary in 2009 and holds a master’s degree in criminal law and procedure, was also interviewed for a High Court judge position.

He highlighted his extensive experience and exceptional competence in performing judicial duties.

Otjiwarongo-based Regional Magistrate Marelize du Plessis, serving in the magistracy since 2000 and as a Regional Magistrate for the past eight years, expressed readiness to transition to the High Court.

Nominated for the criminal division, she also indicated a willingness to handle civil cases if appointed. During her interview, she noted that the longest custodial sentence she has imposed is 20 years.

Magistrate Stanley Tembwe, from the Zambezi Region and currently the administrative head of the Keetmanshoop division, is another candidate under consideration. With 17 years of legal experience since beginning his judicial career in 2007, he had to answer how to deal with circumstantial evidence.

The final candidate to present before the panel was Regional Magistrate Elvis Mwilima.

Joining the bench in 2010, Mwilima has worked as a junior magistrate in various regions across Namibia before settling at the Oshakati Regional Court, where he currently presides over cases at both the regional and district court levels.

The JSC will now deliberate before making its appointment recommendations.

Prior to the November 2023 amendments, interviews for judicial appointments were conducted behind closed doors.

The first public interviews took place in December of 2023, involving candidates such as Judge Philanda Christiaan, Advocate Slysken Makando, and Advocate Beatrix de Jager.