Judiciary extends PG vacancy deadline

The application period for the vacancy of the prosecutor general has been extended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The deadline for applications to fill the position was set for today; however, the JSC has given an extension until 30 October.

A new advert will be placed in the dailies next week, according to the JSC.

The JSC is looking to fill the position as the incumbent Martha Imalwa’s term comes to an end at the end of December.

Imalwa, who has been at the helm of the Office of the PG for nearly 16 years, was appointed as prosecutor general for a 10year term with effect from 2004. Her second term was renewed in October 2013 for a period of seven years.

The vacancy’s requirements as advertised have been questioned by those within the legal fraternity, citing they are too vague.

The bone of contention is regards to the requirements of 15 years post-admission, which is higher than the requirement for one to be appointed as chief justice.

Furthermore, the incumbent was not subjected to the same requirements during her appointment in 2004.

“The chief justice, who holds the highest office in the Judiciary and presides over all types of cases in the Supreme Court, only has a 10year legal capacity requirement, yet it is required from the PG, who mostly deals with criminal matters, to possess a 15-year postadmission qualification, which does not add up at all. It appears that it is easier to become the chief justice than the prosecutor general in Namibia,” reads the petition.

Despite the concerns, the commission has defended the amended requirements, saying prevailing circumstances at the time led to things being done differently.

The commission is, however, yet to communicate to the public its position over concerns around the nationality and postadmission requirements of the position of prosecutor general.