Staff Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
THE courtrooms of both the Windhoek Magistrate\u2019s Court in town as well as that of Katutura Magistrate\u2019s Court fell into silence after magistrates went on strike this morning, leaving the Namibian justice system crippled as accused persons, lawyers, and prosecutors waited in empty courtrooms for presiding officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One courtroom interpreter who spoke on condition of anonymity said that he would describe the strike as a \u201cgo-slow\u201d industrial action, with only two magistrates on board\u2014one serving the regional court, while another assisted with postponing all other court cases on behalf of the absent magistrates. \u201cThere is definitely a shortage; only two courts are operational. We do not know where the rest are. It is getting darker and darker for Namibians who ought to have been served today. We are hoping the leaders will pull up their socks,\u201d the court interpreter from town said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the Katutura Magistrate\u2019s Court, the justice system also appeared to be in limbo, with prosecutors and lawyers sitting in empty courtrooms, stating that they had been waiting for magistrates since 09:00 but to no avail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strike comes amid demands for better wages and benefits, as the country currently faces a shortage of magistrates, which has led to magistrates shouldering a heavy workload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victoria Hango, spokesperson of the Namibian Judiciary, said in a statement that the judiciary is currently in talks with all affected parties. \u201cThe Honourable Chief Justice convened a meeting on 4 November 2025 with the Magistrates\u2019 Commission and senior officials of the Office of the Judiciary to deliberate on the matter. The Office of the Judiciary has taken note of the concerns raised by the magistrates and assures all members of the magistracy that the matter will receive urgent and careful attention through consultations between key stakeholders in the administration of justice,\u201d Hango said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that the Chief Justice therefore implores all magistrates to refrain from proceeding with any industrial action while the consultations are underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Honourable Chief Justice further calls upon all magistrates to remain true to their oath of office and remain committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding the integrity of the justice system, and serving the people of Namibia with dedication and professionalism while their grievances are being addressed. The Office of the Judiciary and the Magistrates\u2019 Commission remain committed to ensuring that the welfare of judicial officers is addressed through established institutional mechanisms. The Office expresses its confidence that ongoing dialogue and cooperation will lead to a fair and amicable resolution in the interests of justice and the nation,\u201d Hango said in a statement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Staff Reporter THE courtrooms of both the Windhoek Magistrate\u2019s Court in town as well as that of Katutura Magistrate\u2019s Court fell into silence after magistrates went on strike this morning, leaving the Namibian justice system crippled as accused persons, lawyers, and prosecutors waited in empty courtrooms for presiding officers. One courtroom interpreter who spoke on …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":384966,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-384965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-breaking-news","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n