MBABANE: Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of this Swaziland News says, one of the contributing factors of corruption within the judiciary is the issue of low salaries for Judges, Magistrates and other judicial officers.
The editor of this publication who recently published a series of articles questioning the alleged corruption within the justice system, says eradicating corruption within the justice system must also include addressing the issue of salaries and benefits for Judges.
“In this country, we have Chief Executive Officers(CEO) who earn almost two hundred thousand Rands(R200,000.00). Judges are paid less than one hundred thousand Rands(R100,000.00) before deductions. The Chief Justice is earning around R100,000.00 before deductions, this a mockery of the justice system. The monies might look huge in the eyes of an ordinary citizen but, the salaries are too little considering the status of being a Judge. We are talking about Judges here with judicial powers to decide on serious cases involving businesses, governance and maintaining law and order. Government must table an offer almost equivalent to the salaries of South African Judges, the offer must come with lifetime benefits”, said the editor.
The editor further said, he “has spoken to some Judges privately” to try and understand their plight, he said their jobs does not allow them to openly complain about salaries and therefore, it is the government and the media among other institutions, that should address these issues on their behalf.
“We need to be very objective when tackling the challenges facing the judiciary, while we expose corruption, we must also try to advocate for the welfare of Judges, Magistrates and officers of the court so that the public can receive best services”, said the editor.
Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini.