Justice at stake amid magistrate strike, lawyer warns
Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe has urged government and relevant authorities to urgently resolve the ongoing impasse with striking magistrates, warning that the country’s justice system is at stake.
Tjombe said the conditions of service for magistrates should be treated as a matter of “extreme importance” given the critical role they play in society.
“Not only do magistrates have the important task of administering justice in all matters of life, but they are also the first point of contact with the justice system for the overwhelming majority of people,” he said.
Tjombe described magistrates as a vital part of the justice system, adding that inadequate salaries could drive experienced professionals to leave for more lucrative opportunities.
“It is important that magistrates are appropriately remunerated, as it has serious implications for the independence of the judiciary and the competence of magistrates,” he said.
His remarks come as magistrates across the country continue their slow-go strike over salary and benefit demands, resulting in empty courtrooms, postponed cases and cancelled weddings and growing frustration among citizens.
Legality questioned
Justice minister Wise Immanuel on Sunday issued a directive to the chairperson of the Magistrates' Commission, Boas Uusiku, questioning the legality of the strike and demanding an immediate return to work.
“I could not find a legal basis for the ongoing countrywide strike by magistrates. Unless the commission can situate the strike within legal parameters, I am inclined to conclude that the strike is illegal in all aspects,” he wrote.
Speaking to Namibian Sun this week, Immanuel explained that, as a minister with oversight of administrative justice matters, he has a responsibility to ensure employees report for work.
The minister confirmed that discussions regarding the magistrates' demands are ongoing.
“The engagements remain active and constructive,” he said.
Despite Immanuel’s directive, courtrooms remained empty on Monday morning, with magistrates continuing their go-slow action. Regional courts are largely unaffected.
Tjombe said the conditions of service for magistrates should be treated as a matter of “extreme importance” given the critical role they play in society.
“Not only do magistrates have the important task of administering justice in all matters of life, but they are also the first point of contact with the justice system for the overwhelming majority of people,” he said.
Tjombe described magistrates as a vital part of the justice system, adding that inadequate salaries could drive experienced professionals to leave for more lucrative opportunities.
“It is important that magistrates are appropriately remunerated, as it has serious implications for the independence of the judiciary and the competence of magistrates,” he said.
His remarks come as magistrates across the country continue their slow-go strike over salary and benefit demands, resulting in empty courtrooms, postponed cases and cancelled weddings and growing frustration among citizens.
Legality questioned
Justice minister Wise Immanuel on Sunday issued a directive to the chairperson of the Magistrates' Commission, Boas Uusiku, questioning the legality of the strike and demanding an immediate return to work.
“I could not find a legal basis for the ongoing countrywide strike by magistrates. Unless the commission can situate the strike within legal parameters, I am inclined to conclude that the strike is illegal in all aspects,” he wrote.
Speaking to Namibian Sun this week, Immanuel explained that, as a minister with oversight of administrative justice matters, he has a responsibility to ensure employees report for work.
The minister confirmed that discussions regarding the magistrates' demands are ongoing.
“The engagements remain active and constructive,” he said.
Despite Immanuel’s directive, courtrooms remained empty on Monday morning, with magistrates continuing their go-slow action. Regional courts are largely unaffected.
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