Chief magistrates could earn N$1 million yearly
The Magistrates' Commission has submitted a revised remuneration schedule for magistrates to be gazetted, which would hike chief magistrates' salaries to just over N$1 million a year, following recent negotiations with stakeholders to resolve long-standing pay and allowance disputes.
In a letter seen by Namibian Sun, the commission confirmed that the updated schedule, which includes annual salaries, bonuses, housing and car allowances for the court's legal officers at all levels, has been forwarded to the justice ministry for gazetting, as required by law.
Under the proposed schedule, chief magistrates would receive a total package of N$1 023 663, comprising an annual salary of N$653 212, bonuses of N$54 434, housing allowances of N$153 816, and car allowances of N$162 201.
Deputy chief magistrates, as well as divisional and regional court magistrates, are set to earn N$969 234, consisting of salaries of N$625 642, bonuses of N$52 136, housing of N$142 104 and car allowances of N$149 351.
Principal magistrates would receive N$893 786, senior magistrates N$685 917 and entry-level magistrates N$610 755, all inclusive of allowances.
The submission follows a nationwide go-slow strike launched last week by members of the bench, which has disrupted court proceedings across the country.
The industrial action, still underway yesterday, was triggered by delays from the justice ministry in addressing demands from the Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association of Namibia.
Public safety at stake
A go-slow strike involves a deliberate reduction in work pace as a tactic in industrial disputes.
As a result, court operations across several divisions, including marriages, domestic violence, children’s court, civil and criminal cases, maintenance and traffic matters, have come to a sharp halt, with victim-related cases particularly affected, raising concerns over public safety and access to justice.
One groom broke down in tears at Oshakati last Friday after learning his ceremony would not proceed, with his bride explaining that he had travelled all the way from Zimbabwe for their nuptials – spending N$4 000 on transport – only for their plans to be dashed.
On Monday, justice minister Wise Immanuel ordered magistrates to return to work, declaring the strike illegal. He warned that failure to comply would amount to disobedience, abscondment from duty, negligence or indolence in the performance of official duties, and conduct that brings the administration of justice into disrepute.
The minister is said to have visited courts in Windhoek this week to observe whether magistrates were complying with his directive.
End in sight
The commission stressed in the letter, dated 7 November, that submitting the remuneration schedule for gazetting is a critical step towards formalising the agreed pay adjustments and addressing concerns within the judiciary. Once published, the new scales will take immediate effect, resolving disputes over magistrates’ compensation and benefits.
Yesterday, the Society of Advocates of Namibia voiced grave concern over the ongoing industrial action by magistrates, warning that the strike is crippling the administration of justice and undermining citizens’ fundamental rights.
In a statement, the society said it was disheartened by the failed negotiations held on 4 November between chief justice Peter Shivute and representatives of the Magistrates’ Commission, despite assurances that magistrates’ grievances were receiving urgent attention through established channels.
“The continuing industrial action has over the past few days significantly impeded the administration of justice in Namibia,” the statement read. “It has caused severe disruptions and threatens fundamental rights such as access to justice for all parties appearing in the magistrates’ courts.”
The society stressed that magistrates form an "indispensable constituent" of the country’s justice system and are vital to upholding the rule of law – a cornerstone of Namibia’s democracy.
In a letter seen by Namibian Sun, the commission confirmed that the updated schedule, which includes annual salaries, bonuses, housing and car allowances for the court's legal officers at all levels, has been forwarded to the justice ministry for gazetting, as required by law.
Under the proposed schedule, chief magistrates would receive a total package of N$1 023 663, comprising an annual salary of N$653 212, bonuses of N$54 434, housing allowances of N$153 816, and car allowances of N$162 201.
Deputy chief magistrates, as well as divisional and regional court magistrates, are set to earn N$969 234, consisting of salaries of N$625 642, bonuses of N$52 136, housing of N$142 104 and car allowances of N$149 351.
Principal magistrates would receive N$893 786, senior magistrates N$685 917 and entry-level magistrates N$610 755, all inclusive of allowances.
The submission follows a nationwide go-slow strike launched last week by members of the bench, which has disrupted court proceedings across the country.
The industrial action, still underway yesterday, was triggered by delays from the justice ministry in addressing demands from the Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association of Namibia.
Public safety at stake
A go-slow strike involves a deliberate reduction in work pace as a tactic in industrial disputes.
As a result, court operations across several divisions, including marriages, domestic violence, children’s court, civil and criminal cases, maintenance and traffic matters, have come to a sharp halt, with victim-related cases particularly affected, raising concerns over public safety and access to justice.
One groom broke down in tears at Oshakati last Friday after learning his ceremony would not proceed, with his bride explaining that he had travelled all the way from Zimbabwe for their nuptials – spending N$4 000 on transport – only for their plans to be dashed.
On Monday, justice minister Wise Immanuel ordered magistrates to return to work, declaring the strike illegal. He warned that failure to comply would amount to disobedience, abscondment from duty, negligence or indolence in the performance of official duties, and conduct that brings the administration of justice into disrepute.
The minister is said to have visited courts in Windhoek this week to observe whether magistrates were complying with his directive.
End in sight
The commission stressed in the letter, dated 7 November, that submitting the remuneration schedule for gazetting is a critical step towards formalising the agreed pay adjustments and addressing concerns within the judiciary. Once published, the new scales will take immediate effect, resolving disputes over magistrates’ compensation and benefits.
Yesterday, the Society of Advocates of Namibia voiced grave concern over the ongoing industrial action by magistrates, warning that the strike is crippling the administration of justice and undermining citizens’ fundamental rights.
In a statement, the society said it was disheartened by the failed negotiations held on 4 November between chief justice Peter Shivute and representatives of the Magistrates’ Commission, despite assurances that magistrates’ grievances were receiving urgent attention through established channels.
“The continuing industrial action has over the past few days significantly impeded the administration of justice in Namibia,” the statement read. “It has caused severe disruptions and threatens fundamental rights such as access to justice for all parties appearing in the magistrates’ courts.”
The society stressed that magistrates form an "indispensable constituent" of the country’s justice system and are vital to upholding the rule of law – a cornerstone of Namibia’s democracy.
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