Staff Reporter
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced Olyvia Martha Imalwa, Ruth Modesta Herunga, and Taswald Theo July have been shortlisted as the candidates who met the formal requirements of serving as Namibia’s next Prosecutor-General.
In a statement, the JSC said it was pleased to note the keen interest the Namibian public has taken in the selection process of the Prosecutor-General.
“The interest shown from a variety of sectors and institutions assures the Commission that its principled decision to open up the process was a rightful one,” the statement reads.
At the beginning of this year, the JSC decided to embark on a thorough review of its selection process, in its entirety, with the objective of ensuring that the selection process is attuned to the principles of constitutional democracy.
To this end, the JSC has set up a Committee to conduct this review. The work of the Committee will include a phase for engagement with the public through organisations, bodies, and institutions to be identified when the time comes.
One of the aspects the JSC has noted for inclusion in this thorough review of its selection process is whether interviews with candidates whose nomination falls within the JSC’s purview should be open to the public.
Against the above background and noting the importance of establishing a process that has been carefully considered, extensively consulted on, and for which proper guidelines and logistics have been set, the JSC will not at this time make the interviews for the position of Prosecutor-General open to the public.
According to the statement, eight candidates submitted applications for the position of Prosecutor-General for consideration by the JSC.
“Out of the eight, five applicants were not shortlisted as they did not meet some of the requirements contained in the advertisement,” the statement reads.
The three shortlisted candidates were shortlisted as persons, who meet the formal requirements set by the JSC.
According to the statement, the shortlisted candidates will soon be engaged by the JSC to assess their suitability for possible appointment as Prosecutor-General.
