The Magistrates Commission informed Justice Minister Wise Immanuel on Friday that it had approved a new benefits scale for magistrates and requested that the minister gazette the scale in terms of the law.

The Commission’s chairperson, Judge Boas Usiku, communicated the approval in a letter addressed to the minister.

On Monday, Minister Immanuel told NBC News that negotiations regarding magistrates’ benefits are still ongoing; his comment comes despite a conclusion being reached as per the letter. 

Minister Immanuel directed Judge Usiku to instruct the magistrates to resume their normal working hours.

Despite the minister’s directive, NBC News received calls this morning from members of the public expressing frustration over limited services at the Windhoek Magistrates Court. 

At the time of NBC’s visit, none of the 24 matters on the court roll had been heard.

Sources within the Judiciary indicate that magistrates will continue their limited service action and will only end it once the approved benefits increment has been gazetted.