Given ongoing delays and case backlogs in rural magistrates’ courts, which undermine access to justice for vulnerable communities, what (a) concrete steps will her department take to address shortages of (i) magistrates, (ii) prosecutors an
Official source
Source domain: pmg.org.za
Collected on 17 June 2026
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Filling critical administrative court support staff posts (vacancies)
The department ensures critical administrative support staff posts are filled within prescribed timeframes, and where court support staff posts are vacant, other staff members are rotated to affected courts so services are not interrupted.
- Who it is for
- court support staff vacancies and affected courts needing uninterrupted services
- How to act on it
- The document describes internal staffing actions (filling posts and rotating staff) and does not describe an application route for the public.
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The department continues to ensure that all critical administrative support staff posts are filled within the prescribed timeframes. Where court support staff posts are vacant, other staff members are rotated to the affected courts to ensure that the services are not interrupted.
Appointment of additional Regional Court Magistrates (68 posts)
The department has appointed 68 additional Regional Court Magistrates in various Regional Courts countrywide, effective 1 February 2026.
- Who it is for
- people appointed as Regional Court Magistrates
- How to act on it
- This is an appointment action stated by the department; no application route is described in the document.
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68 Regional Court Magistrates were appointed in various Regional Courts countrywide with effect from 1 February 2026;
Advertised entry-level District Court Magistrates posts (198 posts)
The Magistrates Commission advertised 198 entry-level District Court Magistrates posts. Shortlisting and interviews have commenced, and recommendations for appointment will be made to the Minister thereafter.
- Who it is for
- applicants for entry-level District Court Magistrates posts
- How to act on it
- Apply through the advertised recruitment process run by the Magistrates Commission (the document does not provide a link or application steps).
- Closes
- 14 November 2025
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198 entry-level District Court Magistrates posts have been advertised by the Magistrates Commission, with the closing date of 14 November 2025.
Appointment of additional Senior Magistrates (52 posts)
The department has appointed 52 additional Senior Magistrates in various District Courts, effective 1 March 2026.
- Who it is for
- people appointed as Senior Magistrates
- How to act on it
- This is an appointment action stated by the department; no application route is described in the document.
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and 52 Senior Magistrates were appointed in various District Courts with effect from 1 March 2026.
Facts
Reference
https://pmg.org.za/committee-question/36984/
Key Takeaways
- date: 14 April 2026
- questioner: Ms M Dlamini
- department: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
- appointments: 68 Regional Court Magistrates, 52 Senior Magistrates
- advertisements: 198 entry-level District Court Magistrates
- appointment date for magistrates: 1 February 2026 and 1 March 2026
- closing date for advertisements: 14 November 2025
- support staff focus: court clerks, interpreters, maintenance investigators, officers
- timelines: set by Regional, District Court, and Provincial committees
- Standards review: Chief Justice reviewing norms for turnaround times
Dates
Opening Date
14 April 2026
Closing Date
14 November 2025