Local former magistrate hangs the gloves on early retirement
A much-admired former magistrate, Martin Kroukamp, says his justice was fair and just, after going on medical retirement due to a severe medical condition.
An image that Martin Kroukamp wanted to portray was one of a magistrate who knew what he was doing and was seen being capable of leading other magistrates. However, after his diagnosis in 2017 life took a turn for the 53-year-old.
He has been in the Department of Justice for over three decades and has been a magistrate for about 27 years.
The Germiston father of one went into early retirement as he officially hung his gloves on December 1, 2021.
Martin has been the chairperson of the Alberton Child Welfare board for at least a decade and is also affiliated with the children’s haven, The Purple Willow.
His plan has always been to retire at 60 and enjoy his retirement afterwards. Instead, his retirement came early after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Outside his office as a magistrate, he is a cycler who not only cycles for the love of the sport but has also hit the streets in numerous prominent long-distance races for charity, namely, 947 Joburg Ride.
Legal background
The 53-year-old, who has also left a positive impression on people, said he started as a public prosecutor in KwaZulu-Natal where he made a name for himself.
While holding two degrees, in 1993 he worked as a public prosecutor in the then Alberton Magistrate’s Court and in 1995 became a magistrate in Alberton.
“In 2009, I got semi-promoted to the position of acting senior magistrate in Alberton. We then moved into Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in 2012 and subsequently became acting head of office and acting senior magistrate. With time I was also busy with litigation against the Department of Justice and the Minister of Justice on my appointment,” he explained.
According to Martin, he was interviewed and was identified as the best candidate for the post, but was overlooked in terms of equality laws.
“After taking them to court, eventually in August 2021, the judgement came in my favour where the court ruled that the justice department and the then minister violated my constitutional rights. After a legal battle, in October 2021, the minister eventually appointed me as the senior magistrate,” he said.
Medical condition
Unfortunately, he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017 and had carried that illness over the years.
This is an age-related degenerative brain condition. It causes parts of a person’s brain to deteriorate, best known for causing slowed movements, tremors, balance problems and more.
“My condition deteriorated to such an extent that in 2021, and while my court case was hanging over, I applied for medical retirement due to ill health. It was then approved and my last day in office was in December 2021. I had to go because of the medical condition,” Martin said.
Although he did not have much of body shakes due to his condition, he had stiffness and the medicine he took also had severe effects, causing some looseness in the limbs.
“As a magistrate who is in control of other magistrates and also in court cases, and with Parkinson’s displaying behaviour close to drunkenness if you don’t know you’ll think I’m drunk. The image you portray as a magistrate doesn’t create confidence and that is one of the reasons I applied for early retirement,” he said.
He also recently had a life-threatening brain operation to alleviate the symptoms and a need for medication.
Martin is currently a consultant for a local law firm and hopes to continue his involvement with the Alberton community.
