Call for accountability: Justice Minister skips crucial NCOP meeting on magistrates’ challenges
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mmamoloko Kubayi failed to appear before the Security and Justice Committee this week.
Image: GCIS
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi failed to appear this week before the Select Committee on Security and Justice.
This was her second absence after Mzamo Billy, DA MP and member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) had written last month to the chairperson of the Security and Justice Committee chairperson, Jane Mananiso in the NCOP to request that Kubayi and the Magistrates Commission be called to the committee to discuss the issues raised by the magistrates.
Billy said magistrates in Durban and other parts of the country had been protesting because they are working in dangerous, collapsing courts, facing growing threats, and are still without clarity on remuneration that was supposed to be finalised over a year ago.
Two weeks ago, Durban magistrates held a picket calling for the government to respond to the challenges facing them.
On the remuneration issue, the Judicial Officer's Association of South Africa raised issues with the lack of benefits in line for magistrates with those of other office bearers including official vehicles, petrol cards, tax rebates, spousal benefits, travel, housing, entertainment and medical aid.
In a statement on Friday, Billy said that on Wednesday the committee was again forced to receive a presentation from the Deputy Minister, Andries Nel, after he formally objected to the Minister’s apology.
“This is now a clear pattern of avoidance and a sign that Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi does not take the crisis facing magistrates seriously.”
He said during the briefing, the Deputy Minister insisted that the Department of Justice “does not get involved in bargaining or salary negotiations,” attempting to shift full responsibility to the President and Parliament.
Billy said this was misleading as the department is a statutory participant in consultations with the Independent Remuneration Commission.
“The Minister is required to engage with the recommendations, and the Executive delays have been central to the crisis.”
He said the DA will continue to fight for magistrates who deliver justice on the frontline.
“We will not allow the ANC to hide behind bureaucratic presentations while magistrates work in unsafe buildings, face daily threats, and wait endlessly for fair and timely remuneration.”