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DW / Nampula Province Judicial Court
Since last Friday, more than 80 elected judges from all of the 23 districts in Nampula province and many from the capital city have left court sessions rooms in order to demand salary arrears due from as far back as 2014, plus salaries in advance for the last three months of this year.
Ali Said Mupasso told DW Africa that the strikers had already tried to “contact the Governor’s office, the Provincial Directorate of Economy and Finance and the Judicial Court of the Province”, but the answer is that there are no funds for the payment. “But how come there are salary problems only for elected judges, while other officials receive their wages?” he asked.
According to Muapasso, elected judges’ fees are borne by the salary funds of each court, and the judges have decided not to work until the problem is resolved. “We will suspend our participation in court sessions until there is a solution [of the problems],” he said.
As a result of the strike, the number of court hearings will decline, negatively affecting people who are arrested or detained, since, by law, the presence of these elected judges in the trial sessions is essential.
Lawyer Arlindo Muririua says judges’ claims are fair.
“It is a fair strike, because they were appointed by a law that was approved in the Assembly of the Republic. They have applied to assist the Judges of Law, because in all the courts there should be a Judge of Law and two elected judges. They will sign all lawsuits and they have the right to receive [pay]. Why the delay?” he asked.
State must honour its commitments
DW Africa asked Muririua what impact the strike would have on people awaiting trial.
“Is it right for these elected judges to be present in courts hungry? The state must create funds to pay them what they are owed and on a regular basis?” was his reply.
Bernardo Alide, Provincial Director of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs in Nampula, acknowledges the elected judges’ concerns and says their fees will be paid as soon as there is the money, although unable to say when that would be.
“We know that there is money owing to the elected judges, and efforts are being made to make the payments. The matter has not been forgotten,” he concludes.
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