Magistrates across the country have threatened to stop work next week if the Ministry of Justice fails to implement long-promised housing and vehicle allowance increases.

In a letter to Justice Minister Wise Immanuel, lawyers Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, acting for the Magistrates and Judges Association, warned that a partial nationwide work stoppage would begin on November 5 if the approved benefits are not implemented by November 4.

The strike would disrupt civil and criminal court proceedings, including trials and bail hearings, in both Magistrates’ and Regional Courts.

The dispute centres on the government’s approval of new housing and vehicle allowances for magistrates, which were meant to take effect in the 2025/26 financial year. 

The lawyers informed the minister that although the Executive Director of the Office of the Judiciary approved the changes in August, they have not been put into effect.

They also accused the Ministry of Justice of using the wrong government salary grades when calculating the new benefits, which they say has caused unfair discrepancies among magistrates.

The magistrates want the Ministry to immediately stop any move to publish or enforce the disputed pay structure and instead implement the version approved in August. 

They are also asking for confirmation that a long-delayed job evaluation for magistrates will finally begin.

The association said it prefers to settle the issue through talks and is available for an urgent meeting before November 5. 

However, it warned that if the Ministry does not act, magistrates will go ahead with their planned work stoppage and may also take the matter to court.