It is unclear where the original magistrate’s court was situated.
It is reported that Heidelberg’s founder, HJ Ueckermann, used his buildings as a magistrate’s court, jail and school.
According to the first constitution in 1858, Heidelberg would consist of a magistrate’s court and a court of local officials to help the magistrate.
To be considered for appointment as a court official, you had to be entitled and registered to vote for two years and be a member of the Dutch Reformed Church.
The age had to be above 30.
The first magistrate was FK Maré, appointed on June 10, 1866.
As a patriot, Maré refused to work under English rule during the British annexation of the Transvaal. He resigned as magistrate in March 1878.
After the Boer War and the restoration of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, he was re-elected and re-appointed as magistrate in 1882.
Maré was also a member of the High Court.
Experienced lawyers like Adrian von Geusau also practised law at Heidelberg Magistrate’s Court.
Some history of the Vierkleur hoisted in Heidelberg:
The Heidelberg Commando entered Heidelberg on the morning of December 16, 1880, without any resistance and seized the magistrate’s offices.
The Vierkleur of South Africa was raised at the court the same afternoon and declared their independence from British rule.
Heidelberg was, at the time, the seat of the South African government restored under the Triumvirate, vice-president Paul Kruger, MW Pretorius and Commandant General PJ Joubert.
At that stage, Heidelberg had a population of about 250. Some reports have circulated that the original office was where the police station is today.
A preliminary peace agreement was signed at the premises in Heidelberg by Sir Evelyn Wood and the three members (Kruger, Pretorius and Joubert).
Reports indicate that Jan Smuts visited Heidelberg in the execution of his duties as state attorney.
Smuts also served in the circuit court in 1899 and was where he drafted many of his charge sheets in Heidelberg.
• References: Heidelberg Heritage Association; Heidelberg Heritage Museum, Wikipedia.
