Judge President Tafa joins private practice

Judge President Abednego Tafa joined private practice as an attorney yesterday (Thursday) under the law firm, Thabiso Tafila Attorneys.

Tafa retired as a Judge this week Wednesday. The Administration of Justice revealed in May this year that Judge President Abednego Tafa will be retiring on Wednesday this week (31st August 2022).

The law firm Managing Partner Thabiso Tafila confirmed in a brief interview with Botswana Guardian on Wednesday night that Tafa is joining them. The decorated legal brain is expected to bring along a wealth of experience in the law fraternity both as a former judge and attorney.

Judge President Tafa’s legal career spans over 44 years following his graduation with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (UBLS) in 1978.

He started his career as a State Counsel Attorney at the Attorney General’s Chambers in 1978. In 1980 he joined Richard Lyons Attorneys as a Professional Assistant before joining the late Chief Justice Julian Nganunu as a Partner in the law firm practicing under the name and style: J M Nganunu and Co.

Judge President Tafa re-joined the Attorney General’s Chambers as Deputy Attorney General in 1992 before being appointed Judge of the High Court in 2005. As Deputy Attorney General, Tafa was instrumental in representing Botswana in the Sedudu Island dispute with Namibia.

In 2012 he was appointed Judge President of the Lobatse High Court Division before being transferred to the Gaborone High Court Division as Judge President in 2019.

Most notably while serving at Attorney General’s Chambers Judge President Tafa led the Botswana Delegation to pre-conferences on the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He also led the Botswana Delegation during the negotiations for the establishment of the SADC Tribunal. Tafa was the Lead Counsel and Agent for Botswana at the International Court of Justice in the Republic of Namibia vs. Republic of Botswana case on Sedudu Island (ably guided by Professor Ian Brownlie).

Judge President Tafa has served as Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) from 2013 to date and has served as a Member of various Boards of Parastatals.

Judge President Tafa has been praised by the judiciary for his 17 years of dedicated service and the contribution he has made to Botswana’s Jurisprudence.