Dr. Itumeleng Mamokhali Shale took an oath as the Judge in the High Court of Lesotho at the event held at the Royal Palace on Thursday.

She was sworn in by Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane in accordance with section 120 of the Constitution of Lesotho and the event was led by the Christian Council of Lesotho.

When taking an oath, she undertook to administer justice to all persons alike without fear, favor or prejudice and in accordance with the Constitution, the laws and customs of Lesotho.

The ceremony was witnessed by the King, the Prime Minister Mr. Ntsokoane Matekoane, the Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara, Judges of the High Court, Ministers and Senior Government Officials.

Justice Shale was appointed this year after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) announced vacancies for the position of three Judges of the High Court.  When she was appointed as a Judge, she was serving as the Senior Lecturer and Head of Department in the Faculty of Law at the National University of Lesotho. She served as an Advocate and Attorney for 20 years and is also a member of several professional associations.

In 2021 Judges Realeboha Mathaba and Malebona Khabo were added to the bench and joined the judiciary as judges of the High Court. In 2022 while the High Court was struggling with a backlog of cases and shortage of judges, three acting judges were appointed for a criminal session which was scheduled for February 07-April 29 2022. 

The acting judges were Justice Semapo Peete who had retired from the bench in July 2020, Acting Judge Tsabo Matooane and Acting Judge Palesa Rantara. Later in 2022 seven judges were sworn-in/added to the bench and they were judges Mabatsoeneng Hlaele, Maliepollo Makhetha, Tseliso Mokoko, Mafelile Ralebese, Moneuoa Kopo, Makampong Mokhoro and the late Hopolang Nathane who died in April this year 2024.

Other judges of the High Court are the Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane, Judges Molefi Makara, Maseforo Mahase, Keketso Moahloli, Polo Banyane and Moroke Mokhesi.

Justice Tseliso Monaphathi has this year left the bench as he went into retirement.

The High Court has suffered loss through the death of Maseshophe Hlajoane in 2019, Justice Lebohang Molete in 2020, Justice Lisebo Chaka-Makhooane in 2020 and Justice Thamsanqa Nomngcongo in 2021.

The High Court is divided into the High Court Main Division; Land Court; High Court Northern Division; Labour Appeal Court; and the High Court Commercial Division.