A Magistrate’s Court was established at Elliotdale on 1 February 1877 (PJ Venter: Government Departments of the Cape of Good Hope 1806 – 1910, p 292).

The Magistrate of Elliotdale, Mr E Wilkens, was also appointed Native Commissioner by Government Notice No 1865 of 1928 published in Government Gazette No 1734 dated 26 October 1928.