A Resident Magistrate’s court for the district of Mafeking was established on 9 October 1885 (Government Gazette No 6656 dated 9 October 1885, Proclamation 2 BB dated 6 October 1885).

The Magistrate of Mafeking was also appointed Native Commissioner as from 1 October 1928 (Government Gazette No 1734 dated 26 October 1928, Government Notice No 1865 dated 26 October 1928). On 9 March 1955 the Native Commissioner received criminal jurisdiction in respect of any offence committed by a Native within the area of jurisdiction (Government Gazette No 5437 dated 25 March 1955, Proclamation No 78 dated 9 March 1955).