Johannesburg – Magistrates around the country participated in a stay-away on Tuesday, demanding improved salaries and benefits, the Judicial Officers’ Association of SA (Joasa) said.

“The two-day strike was for yesterday [Monday] and today,” Joasa president Nazeem Joemath said.

Magistrates embarked on protest action in March. They demanded a single pay structure for the judiciary, which would put their salaries and benefits on the same sliding scale as that of judges.

The Independent Remuneration Commission (IRC) suggested a 5.5% pay increase, which Parliament approved. Joemath said magistrates rejected the increase.

“The IRC should [instead] do a review and then decide [on the increase].”

He said Joasa expected Parliament to reject the IRC’s suggestion.

“Nobody is listening [to the magistrates], not even the president,” Joemath said.

Justice spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga could not be immediately reached for comment. He was quoted by The Times as saying the strike was illegal.

– SAPA