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TimesLIVE reports that the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services has warned magistrates who have threatened to strike over wages that doing so will be illegal, improper and unbecoming.
The Judicial Officers' Association of SA (Joasa) has written to parliament expressing frustration over the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-bearers dragging its feet in reviewing salary increases for magistrates. “We are not unsympathetic to the issues raised by Joasa, [but] it must be put on record that any proposed industrial or 'strike' action undertaken by judicial officers would be improper and unbecoming the role and position of a judicial officer,” said the ministry’s spokesperson Chrispin Phiri. Judicial officers are not employees, hence the Labour Relations Act, which allows protected participation in strikes, does not apply and would render any such strike illegal. Phiri pointed out that because the judiciary was independent, magistrates' salaries were determined by the president after considering the recommendations of the commission. “The minister has raised his concerns regarding the delays with the annual increments of the judiciary with the chairperson of the commission and it was also raised when we briefed parliament’s portfolio committee on justice and correctional services and the select committee on security and justice,” Phiri advised.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLIVE
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