SPYL wades into PG recruitment

The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has called on the Judicial Service Commission to follow due process and not be intimidated by populist political movements when recruiting the new prosecutor general.

In a letter to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) secretary Uno Sibolile, SPYL secretary Ephraim Nekongo said the commission should recruit the best Namibian to serve as the prosecutor general without intimidation, harassment or fear or favour.

“It is our contention that it is dangerous for political parties and actors to use the JSC as a canvas to draw up their political and anti-government agenda,” Nekongo said.

“We are well aware that imperialist funded organized organisations attempt to improperly influence the appointment of the new prosecutor general, so that a candidate of their choice is selected. Despite their posturing on transparency, we are aware that they have already identified a specific candidate,” said Nekongo.

This he said will undermine the transparency and stain the reputation of the JSC.

SPYL stance comes days after Affirmative Repositioning ( AR) movement leader Job Amupanda called on the JSC to hold a public interview for candidates shortlisted for the prosecutor general position.

The pressure group called on the JSC to make the recruitment process public including the names of those shortlisted as stipulated in the constitution.

In the letter to the JSC secretary, Amupanda noted that should the commission heed his request, the transparent process and procedures should be extended to the appointment of judges as well. Last month, the judicial commission advertised the vacant post of the prosecutor general as the incumbent, Martha Imalwa is retiring at the end of December.

Imalwa was first appointed as prosecutor general for a 10-year term from 2004. Her second term was renewed in October 2013, for seven years.

The bone of contention in regards to the requirements is the 15-years postadmission, 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.

However, last week a new advertisement indicates that the 15-years post-admission requirement has been lowered to 10-years. The advertisement also indicates that the deadline has been moved from 16 to 30 October.