Court veterans make return

SOME of Namibia’s judicial veterans are set to make a return to the bench with the appointment of the latest batch of acting judges in the Supreme Court and High Court.

Former Chief Justice Johan Strydom is to continue serving as an Acting Judge of Appeal in the Supreme Court from November 7 to the end of August next year, while the tenure of long-serving Acting Judge of Appeal Fred Chomba in the Supreme Court has also been extended from the beginning of September to the end of August next year, it was announced from the office of the Chief Justice this week. Judge Strydom retired from his post as Chief Justice at the end of September 2004.He however returned to the Supreme Court bench in an acting capacity in September last year, when the President appointed him as an Acting Judge of Appeal until November 6 this year.Another judicial veteran whose reappointment by the President was announced this week, is retired former High Court Judge and former Acting Chief Justice Simpson Mtambanengwe.He has been appointed as an Acting Judge of Appeal in the Supreme Court for only one case, involving a tax dispute between the Commissioner of Inland Revenue and a fishing company, Namsov Fishing.On recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission the President has also appointed Acting High Court Judge Annel Silungwe as an Acting Judge of Appeal to hear a Supreme Court appeal in an alleged wrongful dismissal case.The fifth appointment as an Acting Judge of Appeal is that of current High Court Judge President Petrus Damaseb, who is set to also act in that capacity in the Supreme Court from the beginning of September this year to the end of August 2008.The President further appointed two members of the Society of Advocates of Namibia as Acting Judges of the High Court.Senior counsel Theo Frank – also a former High Court Judge – and Arthur Pickering are set to serve as Acting Judges from September 17 to the end of November and November 9 respectively.Pickering also served as an Acting Judge between March and the end of July this year.Judge Strydom retired from his post as Chief Justice at the end of September 2004.He however returned to the Supreme Court bench in an acting capacity in September last year, when the President appointed him as an Acting Judge of Appeal until November 6 this year.Another judicial veteran whose reappointment by the President was announced this week, is retired former High Court Judge and former Acting Chief Justice Simpson Mtambanengwe.He has been appointed as an Acting Judge of Appeal in the Supreme Court for only one case, involving a tax dispute between the Commissioner of Inland Revenue and a fishing company, Namsov Fishing.On recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission the President has also appointed Acting High Court Judge Annel Silungwe as an Acting Judge of Appeal to hear a Supreme Court appeal in an alleged wrongful dismissal case.The fifth appointment as an Acting Judge of Appeal is that of current High Court Judge President Petrus Damaseb, who is set to also act in that capacity in the Supreme Court from the beginning of September this year to the end of August 2008.The President further appointed two members of the Society of Advocates of Namibia as Acting Judges of the High Court.Senior counsel Theo Frank – also a former High Court Judge – and Arthur Pickering are set to serve as Acting Judges from September 17 to the end of November and November 9 respectively.Pickering also served as an Acting Judge between March and the end of July this year.