All officials deserve to be paid

The National Letters

I RAISE this issue with great concern on behalf of the poor village court officials throughout the country.
Since the last review and changes to village courts about five years ago, two magistrates from each court throughout the country are yet to be paid/put on the payroll.
Five years is too long to be kept in suspense.
Village court officials are the face of the Justice system in the rural/settlement/urban settings.
We work tirelessly and commit ourselves to keeping peace and good order, at times under immense pressure and at personal risk.
We reduce the work load of the higher courts. All officials deserve to be paid.
My questions to the authorities are:

  • WHY have they not been paid thus far?
  • WHEN can they expect to be paid?
  • WHAT happens if an unpaid official dies? and,
  • DOES the Labour Department or any other appropriate authority have anything to say on this?

Surely, it cannot be a case of no money; it definitely has to be a case of inadequate attention on the part of those we come under.
We are in the new year now and from the bottom of our hearts,we pray that the good Lord will drive those in authority to sort us out.
A reply via this column will be very appreciated.

Mark Anna
9-Mile Village Court
National Capital District