REGIONAL and district court magistrates have laid the gauntlet down for the Department of Justice by calling out the inequalities of the judicial system in its treatment of judges and magistrates.

Picketing outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court during their lunch hour today (October 13), the robed magistrates received support from passing motorists and pedestrians who sympathised with their call for equal pay, improved benefits and recognition from the Chief Justice.

@caxtonlocalmedia Magistrates at the Durban Magistrate’s Court are picketing for equal pay and benefits to High Court judges whom they share a hefty workload with. #bereamail #durbannews #magistratescourtdurban ♬ Powerful songs like action movie music – Tansa

Speaking on behalf of the cohort, some from as far as Verulam Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Scelo Zuma of Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (JOASA) said that this is a long-standing matter. “We have even tried to litigate it,” said Zuma.

He said among their grievances are the workload and the disparity in pay.  “We have tried to address matters using several avenues and it keeps falling on deaf ears. We have even gone as far as trying to litigate the issues which was futile, hence deciding on a different kind of action to address our concerns,” said Zuma.

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“There is a long outstanding issue which relates to our salaries. There are annual reports and recommendations that never see the light of day or implemented. These recommendations talk of our salaries and benefits. People will be shocked that we do not even have medical aid, this comes out of our pocket. We do not even have petrol cards for travel.”

According to the protesting JOASA members, an entry level judge earns around R75 000 which is significantly higher when compared to the take home salary of a magistrate, which they say is around R42 000.

“The salary structure of judges should insulate from being corrupt, but this pushes you to the point of being tempted to accept a brown envelope,” said Mondli Nhlangulela who has been a magistrate for seven years. “They are not coming to the party to assist us to live a comfortable life. We can’t even afford university fees for a child or medical aid. It’s time that they pay us our dues.”

The issue of medical aid was a concern raised by fellow magistrate Anitha Hariram. She said the secondary trauma experience by magistrates in court warranted attention. “The things that we hear and witness are traumatising, yet we are expected to carry on as normal. A lot of judges and magistrates require psychological support which they cannot afford on their salary. We are living on peanuts and we have been doing this for too long,” said Hariram.

“Imagine one day talking to somebody and  being told the next day that they have been killed. We are expected to carry on with our jobs as if we are not affected by what we hear. Out mental health matters, we need these benefits and security.”

With just one more year left to serve in the judicial system, Verulam Court Magistrate Betty Rauheath said that she lent her voice to the cause. “I have 40 years in the judiciary but I am sad that I have to leave without seeing the change happen,” said Rauheath.

Zuma said the picket outside Durban Magistrate’s Court was the first of many that will be seen around the country. “Until our needs have been met we will continue with this action and call on other magistrates, throughout the country, to join us in this fight,” added Zuma.

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