The appointment of magistrates central to ensuring access to justice in South Africa
In a justice system already stretched to breaking point, the appointment of magistrates is not a side issue — it is central to ensuring access to justice in South Africa.
The Magistrates Commission has published a shortlist of over 290 candidates for appointment to magistrates’ courts across the country. This is a critical development. With only around 2 000 magistrates currently serving more than 60 million people, these appointments will shape the delivery of justice for millions of South Africans — particularly the most vulnerable.
Magistrates are the judiciary’s front line. They are the ones South Africans encounter when reporting gender-based violence, when family disputes end up in court, when bail is granted or denied, and when criminal matters are heard. They are the faces of justice in suburbs, towns and cities, from Mthatha to Mitchells Plain.
The sheer scale of the current vacancies tells its own story. From Butterworth to Bloemfontein, from Durban to Ga-Rankuwa, posts have been advertised across all provinces. This new cohort will fill some of the most critical judicial roles in the country — but only if the right appointments are made.
The shortlist includes candidates from across the profession: senior magistrates, heads of office, experienced prosecutors and legal practitioners. Now is the time for the public — especially the legal profession, civil society, and community organisations — to examine this list and submit comments. The deadline is fast approaching, and this moment cannot be allowed to pass quietly.
Transparent, merit-based appointments to the bench are essential to maintaining the integrity of the judiciary. The Constitution mandates that judicial officers must reflect South Africa’s diversity, and must be appropriately qualified and experienced. The shortlisting process, while substantial, must still be scrutinised. The public has both the right and the duty to speak up if concerns arise about a candidate’s suitability, temperament, or track record.
We need more magistrates. We need better-supported magistrates. And we need the appointment process to be taken seriously by the public, not just the legal elite. These are not technocratic decisions — they affect how quickly a survivor of violence gets a protection order, how long someone waits in remand, and whether a child’s maintenance is enforced.
South Africa’s judicial system is under pressure. The appointment of hundreds of magistrates may be one of the most important institutional interventions of the year. Let’s treat it that way.
Commentary on candidates
Any comments regarding the candidature of any of the above short-listed candidates should please be directed to Ms N Van Zyl, Secretary: Appointments Committee, in writing, by no later than 16 April 2025.
Comments should be submitted to the following e-mail address: NVanZyl@justice.gov.za
Interview details
Short-listed candidates for posts of Regional Magistrate are to be interviewed from 05 to 27 May 2025.
Download the official advert here.
View the shortlist of the candidates here (as at 11 April 2025).