MORE than 70% of magistrates in the country embark on a nationwide strike from today in a bid to get more pay.
Members of the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (Joasa) will be staying away from court until their demands are met. Of the 1912 magistrates in the country, 1400 belong to Joasa.
However, the Justice Ministry yesterday said the strike would cause little disruption.
"The appointment of acting magistrates is underway," spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said.
This would ensure that an acting magistrate could carry on with cases which were ready to proceed. Mhaga said acting appointments would put a damper on protesting magistrates' plans to postpone criminal and civil trials scheduled for today.
"There might be minimal disruptions. We don't expect anything massive." Mhaga said magistrates were classified as public office bearers and, as such, "whatever they do is illegal".
Magistrates who join the strike could face disciplinary action or even impeachment, he said. If members of the public experienced problems today, they should contact the court managers who would be at all the courts.
Mhaga said the Justice Department was working to ensure that salary adjustments of 5.5% for 1912 magistrates would be implemented by April 15 and backdated to the beginning of that month.
Magistrates go on strike
MORE than 70% of magistrates in the country embark on a nationwide strike from today in a bid to get more pay.
Members of the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (Joasa) will be staying away from court until their demands are met. Of the 1912 magistrates in the country, 1400 belong to Joasa.
However, the Justice Ministry yesterday said the strike would cause little disruption.
"The appointment of acting magistrates is underway," spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said.
This would ensure that an acting magistrate could carry on with cases which were ready to proceed. Mhaga said acting appointments would put a damper on protesting magistrates' plans to postpone criminal and civil trials scheduled for today.
"There might be minimal disruptions. We don't expect anything massive." Mhaga said magistrates were classified as public office bearers and, as such, "whatever they do is illegal".
Magistrates who join the strike could face disciplinary action or even impeachment, he said. If members of the public experienced problems today, they should contact the court managers who would be at all the courts.
Mhaga said the Justice Department was working to ensure that salary adjustments of 5.5% for 1912 magistrates would be implemented by April 15 and backdated to the beginning of that month.
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