Kukuri takes regional judicial leadership

Sostenus Wilherm

Executive director of the Office of the Judiciary, Benhardt Kukuri, has been elected chairperson of the Southern and Eastern Africa Judicial Administrators’ Association (SEAJAA) for a two-year term.

Kukuri was elected during SEAJAA’s annual general meeting held in Tanzania on Sunday, where member jurisdictions also elected a new executive committee.

The Office of the Judiciary said the appointment gives Namibia an opportunity to play a greater role in strengthening judicial administration and institutional capacity across the region.

“Mr. Kukuri’s election provides Namibia with an opportunity to contribute to regional efforts aimed at strengthening the judicial systems, processes and institutional capacity that support the effective functioning of courts,” the Office of the Judiciary said.

Under the new leadership, Namibia will serve as chairperson, with Lesotho as vice-chairperson, Kenya as secretary-general, Botswana as treasurer-general and Seychelles as an ordinary member.

SEAJAA brings together judicial administrators from countries across Southern and Eastern Africa and focuses on promoting “effective and efficient judicial administration” and providing complementary services that support the timely administration of justice.

The association also provides a platform for judicial administrators to exchange experiences, share best practices and collaborate on common challenges affecting the administration and functioning of courts.

The new executive committee succeeds the outgoing leadership led by Uganda as chairperson, Botswana as vice-chairperson, Namibia as secretary-general, Malawi as treasurer-general and Angola as ordinary member.

The Office of the Judiciary said Namibia, through its new role, will contribute to regional initiatives focusing on judicial administration, institutional capacity, innovation and the effective delivery of justice.

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