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IOL News reports that magistrates held a lunchtime placard demonstration in Durban on Monday over poor pay and working conditions and for systematic discrimination to be addressed.
Magistrate Scelo Zuma, representing the Judicial Officers’ Association of SA (Joasa), lamented that their historical concerns have been ignored. He pointed out that they have in the past tried to litigate those issues, however, that has proved to be futile and so they decided to pursue a different course of action to address their concerns. “There is an outstanding, long-standing issue relating to our salaries. Annually, there are reports which are prepared, and recommendations are then made to the President and the (Judicial Service) Commission,” Zuma noted, but added that the significant recommendations for improved magistrate salaries and benefits have never been implemented. He also highlighted a disparity with judges’ benefits.
Zuma pointed out that magistrates did not have medical aid, housing allowances or vehicle allowances and lived off a salary that they have to stretch far to cover their daily needs, including their security. Another issue that the magistrates sought to have addressed was that of a single judiciary “because, seemingly, it would appear that magistrates are existing on the periphery of the judicial structure.” On the way forward, Zuma indicated: “We are planning to have similar actions rolled out throughout the country, until such time that the powers that be attend to this issue because it is a dire situation.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thobeka Ngema at IOL News
- Read too, Durban magistrates picket over poor pay and working conditions, at TimesLIVE
Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page