seacjforum.org – SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICA CHIEF JUSTICES’ FORUM

Lusaka, Zambia

info@seacjforum.org

THE CHIEF JUSTICES

Hon. Justice Bheki Maphalala

Chief Justice of The Kingdom of Eswatini and Chairperson of SEACJF

Hon. Mr. Justice Bheki Maphalala graduated at WITS University in 1990, Johannesburg in South Africa with a B Proc LLB degrees. He practiced law as an Attorney on the side bar from 1992 to 2009 when he was appointed the Judge of the High Court of Eswatini.

Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome

Chief Justice of The Republic of Kenya and Vice Chairperson of SEACJF

Lady Justice Karambu Koome is a Kenyan advocate and a Human Rights Defender, currently serving as the Chief Justice of Kenya since 21st May 2021. With an aggregate 33 years’ experience in the legal profession, she is the first woman to serve as Chief Justice in Kenya.

Hon. Chief Justice Rannowane

Chief Justice Botswana

Chief Justice Rannowane has 31 years’ experience as a judicial officer, having started his career in 1990 as a Magistrate Grade II. He went through the ranks until he became a Regional Magistrate in 2005. In 2008, he was appointed Judge of the High Court.

Hon. Joel Leonardo

Chief Justice of Angola

Hon. Joel Leonardo serves as the Chief Justice of Angola, having been appointed to this position in October 2019. As the head of the Supreme Court, he plays a crucial role in the Angolan legal system, which has undergone significant changes since the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975.

RECENT ACTIVITIES

SEACJF’S OBJECTIVES

1. To promote contact and co-operation among the courts in the region.

2. To promote the rule of law, democracy and the independence of the courts in the region.

3. To promote and protect the welfare and dignity of judges in the member countries.

4. To establish a website at which judgments of the highest courts in the region can be collected.

5. To provide assistance to courts and to promote cooperation among judicial training institutions.

6. To arrange colloquia at which links between courts in the region can be strengthened and matters of common interest discussed.

7. To maintain contact and exchanges with other institutions in Africa and elsewhere having similar objects.

8. To encourage the publication and dissemination of judgments of the superior courts and the use of information technology.

9. To generally to promote the interests of the judiciaries of member countries and, where it is considered appropriate to do so, of any other country in the region.

Head Office

SACJF Secretariat
VIP suites 1-4, New Government Complex,
Lusaka, Zambia