Abstract

WILDENBOER, Liezl. Judicial administration beyond the Orange River from 1839 to 1843: the first magistrates and their duties. Fundamina (Pretoria) [online]. 2017, vol.23, n.1, pp.166-184. ISSN 2411-7870.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-7870/2017/v23n1a7.

In the aftermath of the Great Trek, the emigrant farmers settled in the areas that would later become known as Natal, the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and the Orange Free State. From October 1840 until August 1843 these areas were administered as one territory and were governed by the Natal Volksraad seated at Pietermaritzburg. As early as 1839 the Natal Volksraad demarcated districts and appointed magistrates for each district. These districts were Pietermaritzburg, Port Natal, Weenen, Potchefstroom and Winburg. During this early period, the magistrates were tasked with duties beyond their usual judicial responsibilities. This contribution takes a closer look at the office of the magistrate beyond the Orange River during the period from 1839 to 1843 by looking first at the individuals who were appointed to these positions, and secondly by examining some of their duties as are evident from the minutes of the Natal Volksraad.

Keywords : Early administration of justice; Natal; Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek; Orange Free State; magistrate; Pietermaritzburg; Port Natal; Weenen; Potchefstroom; Schoonspruit; Winburg; judicial duties; non-judicial duties; Orphan Chamber; harbour master.

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