Magistrate bows out after 29 years

THE Empangeni Magistrate’s Court will as of end January be one magistrate poorer, as Carl Zaaiman will hang up his robe for the final time – after 29 years on the bench.

But while Magistrate Zaaiman has opted for early ‘semi-retirement’ his wealth of knowledge will not be lost to the legal community, as he is looking forward to exploring every avenue the future will bring.

The ZO on Friday sat down with the man, who can be described as quiet and unassuming, to gain insight into a career that spanned nearly three decades as a magistrate.

It started out in the small town of Colenso in 1988 where he sat until his move to Empangeni in 2001.

‘It’s hard to pinpoint an exact case that stands out from the many I have presided over in my years,’ he said.

‘I have always tried my best to approach each case, whether petty or serious, with the same attitude – to deliver justice.’

Zaaiman, who is happily married with two adult daughters, says over the years, one gains a unique insight into crime and matters of human nature.

‘Definitely as a magistrate you see and hear terrible things. You see what crime really is, and how it affects people. And this in turn has a massive effect on your personal life.’

Safety conscious

He explained that, over the years, he has grown steadily more conscious of the safety of himself and his family.

‘It’s definitely something you become very aware of. But you learn to live with it, and to take it in your stride.’

The majority of cases Zaaiman sat on were in criminal courts, but for the past two years he served as the magistrate on civil matters.

‘Looking back I think the cases that will stay with me are the ones where children died in car accidents as a result of negligent or reckless driving, and the effect their deaths had on the families.

‘To me, it never seemed as if the verdict would ease their pain; no judgement can bring a loved one back to life.’

As he mulls over what his days will now bring, Zaaiman wished to thank all his colleagues for the years spent working together, through the good and the bad ,as well as the legal community for their cooperation.

‘But most especially thank you to my family, who have stood behind me and supported me for these many years.’

A farewell function for Zaaiman was held at the Empangeni Country Club on Friday afternoon.

‘I am aware that he will not be lost completely to the legal world,’ said Empangeni Chief Magistrate Amon Ntshangase.

‘We will still meet him as a man with his qualities will surely succeed in all his future endeavours.’

After years of delivering justice to Empangeni, he is now looking forward to house hunting in the Eastern Cape, where he hopes to spend his golden years with his wife.

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