Mosito’s caveats

JUSTICE Kananelo Mosito says the invalidity of the ninth amendment to the constitution should apply prospectively “to prevent potential chaos and injustice”. He said if it would apply retrospectively it could result in “chaos and injustice from undoing past actions and decisions”.

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In the present case, where the Amendment has already been applied against Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, resulting in the appointment of Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro in 2020, “the court must carefully weigh the competing interests and principles at stake”.

The effect of the retrospective application of the judgement is that every decision Dr Majoro reached and executed as the prime minister would be null and void.

Even his appointment by parliament in 2020 would be null and void.

This means that his post-prime ministerial benefits would have to be taken away because they would have been founded on a constitutional nullity.

“Advocates of retrospective application contend that it upholds the principle of the rule of law and ensures that unconstitutional laws or amendments are treated as null and void from their inception,” Justice Mosito said.

“This approach is grounded in the belief that unconstitutional actions should not be given legal effect, regardless of the consequences,” he said.

He said it is crucial to strike a balance between upholding the rule of law, respecting the separation of powers, and ensuring legal certainty and stability.

At the outset, he said, it is important to acknowledge the fundamental principle of the presumption of constitutionality.

“Laws enacted by the legislative branch are presumed constitutional unless proven otherwise,” he said.

“This presumption is rooted in the respect for the democratic process and the doctrine of separation of powers, which recognises the distinct roles and responsibilities of the different branches of government.”

However, he said, when a law or constitutional amendment is found to be unconstitutional, the court must determine the appropriate remedy, including the temporal effect of its decision.

In this regard, the jurisprudential concept of the “doctrine of prospective overruling” becomes relevant.

He said the doctrine of prospective overruling recognises that courts have the discretion to apply their rulings prospectively or retrospectively, depending on the circumstances of the case and the potential consequences of their decision.

He said proponents of the prospective application argue that it promotes legal certainty and stability by avoiding the disruption of settled expectations and legal relationships that have been established based on the now-invalidated law or constitutional amendment.

He said while respecting the principle of legal certainty and the need to avoid disrupting settled expectations is important, it cannot be the sole determinant.

“The court must also consider the gravity of the constitutional violation, the nature of the rights or interests affected, and the potential for perpetuating injustice if the unconstitutional law or amendment is allowed to stand,” he said.

The judge said if the court finds that the amendment was unconstitutional and violated fundamental constitutional principles or rights, “it may be compelled to apply its decision retrospectively to uphold the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution”.

He said in such a case, the court may determine that the unconstitutional amendment should be treated as null and void from its inception, “potentially affecting the legitimacy of Prime Minister Majoro’s appointment and subsequent actions”.

If this Court concludes that the constitutional violation was less egregious or that retrospective application would result in substantial hardship or disruption to the legal and political system, he said, “it may exercise its discretion to apply its ruling prospectively”.

This approach would preserve the validity of past actions and decisions made under the now invalidated amendment, including Prime Minister Majoro’s appointment, while also ensuring that future actions conform to the court’s interpretation of the constitution.

“In the present case, there are compelling reasons to justify the prospective application of the declaration of constitutional invalidity.”

Prime Minister Majoro’s appointment and subsequent actions were predicated on the presumed constitutionality of the amendment at the time, he said.

“Retroactively invalidating these actions would create a legal vacuum and potentially undermine the foundations of the current government, leading to significant disruption and uncertainty in the political and legal system.”

He said the retrospective application of the declaration of invalidity could have far-reaching and unintended consequences, affecting numerous decisions, actions, and legal relationships established under the now-invalidated amendment.

“This could result in substantial hardship and chaos for the government and various stakeholders, including individuals, businesses, and organisations whose rights and interests may have been impacted.”

“It is important to recognise that Prime Minister Majoro’s appointment was not an isolated event but rather a pivotal moment in the democratic process, reflecting the will of the people and the constitutional mechanisms for transferring power.”

“Retrospectively, invalidating his appointment could undermine the democratic principles and institutions fundamental to the rule of law and the nation’s stability.”

He said the court must consider the potential disruption to ongoing governance and the delivery of essential public services.

He said a retrospective application of the declaration of invalidity could potentially paralyse the government’s ability to function effectively, leading to a vacuum of leadership and decision-making when the nation may face critical challenges or emergencies.

“The ruling would serve as a clear guidance for future conduct, upholding the supremacy of the Constitution while minimising the potential for disruption and chaos.”

Staff Reporter

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