Allexer Namundjembo
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement in the Otjozondjupa region says the government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought and act quickly to address the problems faced by magistrates.
AR regional activist Johannes Johannes said the movement supports magistrates nationwide who plan to strike today.
The magistrates demand dignity, fairness and better working conditions.
“The government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought. These are men and women who uphold justice daily under impossible conditions. Their grievances are valid and must be addressed urgently,” he said.
Johannes said the continuous postponement of cases and poor court resources are weakening justice delivery and public trust.
He criticised the government for being slow to respond to concerns raised by judicial officers.
The AR movement also condemned the casualisation of court interpreters and translators who work without permanent contracts or benefits.
“It is deeply frustrating, not only for magistrates but also for the general public, to witness how the judiciary continues to be rendered ineffective due to the shortage of magistrates and poor working conditions,” he said.
Johannes called it “a form of exploitation that must come to an end.”
He said poor court infrastructure, lack of mental health support for judicial officers, inconsistent promotions, and the absence of sign-language interpreters remain serious issues that deny people with hearing disabilities equal access to justice.
AR national leader and member of parliament Job Amupanda also expressed his support on social media.
“People of Namibia, we support and stand in solidarity with magistrates who want to go on strike because of how their matters are handled by the regime,” he wrote.
Magistrates, represented by Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, have given the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations a final ultimatum to stop plans to gazette what they describe as an incorrect benefits schedule.
They want the ministry to implement a fair proposal approved by the judiciary’s executive director, Benhardt Kukuri, in August and issue a written commitment to create magistrate-specific policies.
Kukuri confirmed that the ministry received the letter of demand.
However, minister of justice and labour relations Fillemon Wise Immanuel previously told the Windhoek Observer that he had not yet reviewed the letter due to travel.
The dispute comes after a two-year standoff over housing and vehicle allowances.
Despite receiving approval in October 2023 to align their benefits with equivalent government grades, magistrates assert that the ministry has yet to implement this decision.
They claim the ministry now plans to gazette a flawed schedule that downgrades senior positions, leaving some magistrates earning less than their counterparts in other government roles, despite N$8 million being allocated for the adjustments.
The planned strike follows recent violent attacks against court staff in the north, which raised further concerns about security and working conditions.
Last month, a court worker at the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court was attacked at her home.
Prosecutor Justine Shiweda was shot in the legs and doused with an acidic substance by unknown assailants while preparing to take her children to school.
Earlier in Gobabis, a suspected arson attack destroyed the public prosecutor’s offices at the Magistrate’s Court.
The Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association of Namibia condemned both incidents, warning that they highlight the dangers faced by court staff while performing their duties.
