Magistrates in new walk-out
26/04/2011 00:00:00
by Lindie Whiz
MAGISTRATES staged a new walk-out on Tuesday after turning up at their banks
to find promised pay increments had not been effected.
Magistrates went on a three-day strike on April 4 to press for improved pay,
only ending their industrial action after securing undertakings by the
government that adjustments would be made at their next pay day which was
Tuesday.
Douglas Vakai Chikwekwe, president of the Magistrates’ Association of
Zimbabwe, insisted late Tuesday that the new strike action was a “small
stalemate”.
“The stalemate is being worked on and we hope it will be overcome by
Wednesday at the latest,” he said, without explaining the nature of the
stalemate.
At the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Courts, prosecutors were giving suspects next
remand dates.
A strike by magistrates earlier this month paralysed an already creaky
justice delivery system.
Although judges continue to work at the High and Supreme Courts, the
majority of cases are heard at the lower magisterial courts.
Magistrates earn between US$206 and US$300 monthly. They are demanding a
minimum salary of US$600 for trainees, US$1,000 for junior magistrates,
US$1,500 for senior magistrates, US$2,000 for senior provincial magistrates,
and US$2,500 for regional magistrates.
Senior regional magistrates and the deputy chief magistrate want US$3,000
while the chief magistrate’s salary should be US$3,300, according to the
union.