ARMSA warns of ‘constitutional crisis’ if low salary packages for presiding officers not addressed

The Association of Regional Magistrates in South Africa (ARMSA) has warned of a “constitutional crisis” if the issue of low salary packages for presiding officers is not addressed.

ARMSA has rejected the proposed 4.1% proposed salary increase for public office bearers.

The association said that the hike does little to address the frustrations in the sector.

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Regional Magistrates stick to legal action over pay and working conditions

For the first time ever in 2025, magistrates from across the country took to the streets in a series of co-ordinated pickets to protest their poor working conditions.

ARMSA also has a pending civil case against governmentseeking to compel it to increase the salaries of the presiding officers and lessen their workload by filling in the many open vacancies.

ARMSA spokesperson Hein Louw said that the lack of support from government has caused a substantial amount of anger within the judiciary.

“This is detrimental to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and should be addressed very urgently. This might cause a constitutional crisis if it’s not addressed with great haste.”

The attention now shifts to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will have to decide whether he will be signing the proposed salary increases into law or sending them back to the Independent Remuneration Commission for review.