The Minister of Justice, Wise Immanuel, has filed an urgent application with the High Court to seek an order declaring the ongoing partial work stoppage by magistrates unlawful.

The matter will be heard on Friday.

Magistrates, usually only seen behind the bench and rarely heard outside the courtroom, have taken their grievances public.

A dispute over benefits has escalated into a full-blown public standoff between the country's magistrates and their line minister, who has now turned to the High Court seeking an order to interdict their ongoing partial work stoppage.

The High Court will now be responsible for determining the outcome of this public dispute.

Minister Wise Immanuel's application to the Windhoek High Court seeks an order compelling the magistrates to return to work and resume full duties.

Immanuel states that he holds executive authority over the administration of the justice system.

The minister also maintained that his directive to the Magistrates Commission, which he described as a non-judicial body, to instruct the magistrates to resume normal working hours is constitutionally grounded.

The Magistrates and Judges Association said it will file its replying affidavit today.

Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said the Presidency will not comment on the ongoing partial work stoppage by magistrates across the country, citing the principle of separation of powers.

Mbambo said that there's a clear separation of powers in Namibia, so it would not be appropriate for the Presidency to comment on the current situation regarding the magistrates' strike.

He added that it is the hope of the Presidency that the matter is resolved soonest, given the important role the judiciary plays as one of the three branches of government.