Assistant Magistrates Step In as Judicial Shutdown Widens
By TUW
A growing standstill has hit magistrates’ courts this week as judicial officers deepened their protest action, resulting in a full suspension of hearings countrywide. What initially began as a slowdown has now evolved into magistrates refusing to take the bench altogether, leaving many cases unattended.
A document shared internally within the Judiciary indicates that senior administrative staff have been instructed to temporarily step in to keep basic services running. The circular, signed by executive director Benhardt Kukuri, notes that heads of administration at various courts will serve as “assistant magistrates” for the duration of the standoff.
These temporary officers are expected to handle only essential functions. Their responsibilities include issuing postponements, approving uncontested bail, processing withdrawals before plea on the prosecutor’s request, administering estates, authorising warrants of arrest, solemnising marriages and dealing with temporary liquor licence applications.
Many courts remained idle yesterday. Dozens of people waited for their matters to be heard, but no progress was made throughout the day.
Rundu was one of the few exceptions. Late in the evening, a corruption matter involving three officials was heard, making it the only or one of the notable activity at the court on an otherwise quiet day.
According to information obtained from reliable sources, the Magistrates’ Association of Namibia (MJA) has been raising concerns for more than a year. The association noted that magistrates have been without the benefits that were agreed upon “in principle” since 2 October 2023, despite several engagements with the Judicial Service Commission, the Office of the Judiciary, and the Ministry of Justice.
The association further highlighted that while N$8 million has already been allocated for the rollout of the benefits, there has been “no clarity, no written correspondence, and no meaningful progress” from the authorities.
