Cape Magistrates take grievances to Parliament, demand parity with higher courts

Magistrates working in Cape Town are fed up of being treated differently from their colleagues in the higher courts.

On Wednesday, they took their grievances to Parliament, highlighting the delay in implementing a salary review.

Magistrates are also frustrated over the lack of resources and work overload.

The legal heads said they do the same work as High Court judges, but they're paid significantly less.

Simons Town Magistrate Dennis Leppan has been on the bench for 30 years.

Leppan said they want the same treatment as judges.

"It's very embarrassing when you sit in a case and every attorney, every prosecutor in court earns more than the magistrate. But I'm the one who must give the judgment, I'm the one who must provide reasons for appeal, I'm the one whose job is on the line if I make a mistake."

The group has handed over a memorandum to the office of the Presidency and given it two weeks to respond.

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