Iuze Mukube
Justice and labour relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel said the ministry is ready to formally gazette the increased and adjusted housing and car allowances of the magistrates.
These adjustments or increment is based on an approved proposal by the former justice minister Yvonne Dausab and the former finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi in consultation with the Magistrate’s Commission.
He made the announcement during a media briefing on Thursday.
The approval letter followed a demand in the increment or adjustments of housing and car allowance by magistrates which dates back to 2022.
The adjustments were to be effective in 2025/26 financial year. The minister said what he is about to gazette corresponds with the letter of approval he found on his desk.
According to the approved letter by Shiimi, dated 2 October 2023, only the chief magistrate, principal magistrate, senior magistrate and magistrate were to receive adjustments in terms of housing allowance.
None for the deputy chief magistrate, divisional magistrate and regional court magistrate.
In terms of the adjustment on the car allowance, the chief magistrate, deputy magistrate, divisional magistrate and regional court magistrate were to receive adjustments, with the exclusion of the principal magistrate, senior magistrate and magistrate.
The minister stated that he consulted with the finance minister between September and October 2025 and an adjustment was agreed upon.
It is also aligned with the letter by Shiimi, making an increase that ranged between 25% and 57%.
According to his new adjustment, the chief magistrate will receive a housing allowance of N$142 104 from N$92 880 and a car allowance of N$149 351 from N$118 085.
The deputy chief magistrate, divisional magistrate and regional court magistrate will receive a housing allowance of N$131 280 from N$83 160 and a car allowance of N$136 485 from N$108 449.
The principal magistrate will receive N$97 342.56 from N$62 640 in housing allowance, and N$99 968.38 from N$79 656 in terms of car allowance.
Meanwhile, senior magistrates will get N$81 305.28 from N$52 320 in terms of housing allowance and N$88 859.23 from N$70 797 in terms of car allowance. Lastly, magistrates will get N$81 305.28 from N$52 320 for housing allowance and N$88 850.23 from N$70 797 for the car allowance.
The housing allowance adjustments range between 52.99% to 57.86%, while the car allowance is between 25.5% to 26.85%.
Addressing the ongoing strike or go-slow by the magistrate, Immanuel stated that the stalemate is unfortunate and unnecessary because the demands by the magistrate seem to be based on incorrect information.
Additionally, he stated that the government, before the stoppage commenced, was ready to make a gazette by the newly aligned adjustments.
He said these approved rates are fair and correspond to the job grade.
Immanuel stated that he cannot just decide to sign on the documents outlining the demands by the magistrates without applying his mind and the principles of law.
He said government remains committed to the principle of good governance and is open to social dialogue and fair compensation of everyone.
The minister said he awaits response from the Magistrates’ Commission on whether they followed his directive to instruct the magistrates to return to work.