Government Reaffirms Position in Ongoing Magistrates’ Allowance Stalemate
The Namibian government says it is willing to continue engaging with the Magistrates and Judges Association of Namibia to end the ongoing standoff, but insists it will not bow to the Association’s newly introduced demands.
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Wise Immanuel said the Association has shifted from the allowance adjustments that were initially agreed upon and which he had been ready to publish earlier this year.
The allowances in question relating to housing and vehicle benefits were authorised by former finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi in October 2023 and planned for implementation in the 2025/2026 financial period. Shiimi’s approval was based on inflation trends, salary adjustments in the public sector, and a pending job-evaluation and grading review for the Magistracy.
According to Shiimi’s letter, only specific categories were set to receive housing-allowance increases: Chief Magistrates (4.7%), Principal Magistrates (1.6%), and Senior Magistrates and Magistrates (21.7%). No additional ranks were included at the time.
Immanuel noted that a general housing-allowance increase across the public service in 2024 justified aligning the equivalent grades Deputy Chief Magistrates, Divisional Magistrates and Regional Court Magistrates from 2025 onwards.
He stressed that although magistrates received salary increases in 2023, this was not a regrading exercise and therefore did not automatically warrant higher allowances.
Immanuel said government had been ready to proceed with gazetting the original figures when the partial work stoppage began. He emphasised that further negotiations must remain anchored on Shiimi’s recommendations, and any additional proposals must be agreed upon by all stakeholders, including the Magistrates Association.
Meanwhile, a directive from the Office of the Judiciary, issued to the Chief Magistrate on 25 November, instructed all magistrates to fully resume court operations without delay.
