Johannesburg: The Select Committee on Security and Justice has recommended that the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) confirm the provisional suspension of Ms. SSE Fredericks, an additional Magistrate at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court, and the decision to withhold her remuneration.
According to African Press Organization, Committee Chairperson Ms. Jane Seboletswe Mananiso stated that the recommendation to withhold Fredericks' remuneration aligns with the Magistrates Act. This recommendation follows the consideration of a report by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. The report, presented to Parliament on 1 July 2025 and dated 26 June 2025, was based on advice from the Magistrates Commission. It highlighted an extended period of unauthorised absence by Ms. Fredericks since November 2019, during which she continued to receive her full salary.
Ms. Mananiso emphasized that the committee resolved to recommend the NCOP confirm the provisional suspension of Ms. Fredericks, pending an inquiry into her fitness to serve as a magistrate. Additionally, the committee recommended that the NCOP confirm the decision to withhold her remuneration until the outcome of the hearing into her fitness to hold office is determined.
The committee also addressed two other cases involving magistrates. It recommended that the NCOP confirm the provisional suspension of Ms. TF Kekana, an additional District Court Magistrate at Secunda, Mpumalanga, pending a misconduct hearing regarding her fitness to serve. Furthermore, Ms. Mananiso reported that the committee advised the NCOP not to restore Ms. N Naudé, an additional magistrate in the district court at Kimberley, to her position.