Africa-Press – Eswatini. Concerns over the poor working conditions of magistrates continue to dominate parliamentary debate, with Members of Parliament (MPs) pressing the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prince Simelane, to take decisive action on a matter that is increasingly worrying the public.
On Tuesday, July 23, 2025, MPs in the House of Assembly took the minister to task, demanding answers on whether his meetings with Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala had yielded any progress in improving the welfare of judicial officers. However, MPs were disappointed when the minister admitted that he had no positive developments to report, citing the doctrine of the separation of powers as a key stumbling block.
Prince Simelane explained that during his engagements with the judiciary, he was continually reminded that the Legislature should not interfere in matters of the Judiciary. “The day I will succeed in these meetings is the day I am promised an improvement in the magistrates’ working conditions,” he said.
MPs across the House expressed frustration at what they described as inaction and bureaucratic deadlock, with some warning that public confidence in Parliament was beginning to erode.
MPs: “Emaswati Expect Better”
Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu urged the minister to intensify dialogue with the Judiciary. “We expect the Ministry to engage further and not give up,” he said.
Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane reminded the House that advocating for improved working conditions for magistrates was not interference, but rather fulfilling Parliament’s duty to the people. “We represent Emaswati. Magistrates are Emaswati. Their welfare is our concern,” he stressed.
Mayiwane MP Sicelo Prince Dlamini echoed these sentiments, expressing deep disappointment. “When we saw this issue on the Order Paper, we believed a solution was coming. Now that it has stalled again, Emaswati will lose hope in this House,” he said.
Minister Proposes Cross-Government Talks
This matter was last deliberated in May 2025, when Prince Simelane tabled a report outlining his meeting with the Chief Justice. At that time, MPs rejected the report, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of progress. In the most recent sitting, the minister withdrew his updated report, committing to engage further on the issue.
To move the matter forward, the minister proposed a high-level meeting involving the heads of all three branches of government:
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini
Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala
House Speaker Jabulani Mabuza
Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini
Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo
This meeting, he said, would seek to foster collaboration between the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary while respecting constitutional boundaries, in order to enhance judicial service delivery and improve conditions for magistrates.
For many MPs and members of the public, improving the welfare of judicial officers is not just about salaries or office space—it’s about strengthening the integrity of the justice system and ensuring timely and fair access to justice for all Emaswati.
As the matter remains unresolved, Parliament is expected to closely monitor the next steps taken by the Minister and the Judiciary, with growing calls for urgency and accountability.
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