The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today received a progress report on the turn-around plan for Masters offices and committed to closely monitor the plan’s implementation.
The Master of the High Court has been beset with challenges and customer complaints on various matters, including long queues, unreliable and slow systems, loss of client documents and poor infrastructure of some offices. There have also been complaints about alleged corruption, manual processes, load shedding and backlogs.
The committee was reminded that in October 2023, the Law Society of South Africa delivered a presentation to the previous portfolio committee, highlighting several challenges at Masters offices. In response, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in November 2023 outlined a strategic plan of seven short-term interventions designed to address these challenges. These interventions intended to resolve key operational issues and improve the overall functioning of the Masters offices in the short term.
The first intervention related to a roll-out of the deceased estates online system nationally. The committee heard that this was successfully rolled out on 14 December 2023 in all Masters offices and service points. This initiative is part of the department’s broader strategy to modernise and streamline its services, aiming to enhance accessibility and efficiency for the public. The aim of the roll-out was to simplify the process of registering deceased estates, reducing the need for in-person visits and paperwork, while minimising delays in estate administration. The committee heard outdated ICT infrastructure leads to interruption in service resulting in backlogs and repeat visits.
The committee heard there has also been a commitment to increased visibility and education on the deceased estates online functionalities and other Masters services.
Regarding increased engagements with the legal, fiduciary, accounting and banking sectors, the committee heard that provincial stakeholder meetings are held monthly and are chaired by the Master in each province or region. Furthermore, Masters have reconvened the central stakeholder engagement forum on a monthly basis.
The issue of interventions relating to load shedding and stolen cables remains unresolved, but its impact has been significantly mitigated due to the recent easing of load shedding nationally. As a result, disruptions have been minimal and daily operations have experienced only slight interruptions. Nevertheless, a permanent resolution is still required to ensure long-term stability.
In terms of the capacitation of Masters offices at production (estate controllers and assistant masters) and leadership level, phase one of the recruitment process for critical vacancies has officially commenced, with positions being advertised in a Department of Public Service and Administration circular dated 6 September 2024. At this point, two positions at the national level have been identified as critical: the Chief Master and the Chief Director for Masters Operations. These roles are essential for ensuring the effective leadership and strategic management of Masters offices across South Africa. In addition, phase one also includes the recruitment of seven assistant Masters to support operations in various regions, as well two deputy Master positions, for Masters offices in Bisho and Middelburg.
Looking ahead, if approved, phase two of the recruitment process will focus on filling 21 additional critical vacancies within Masters offices. This next phase will be essential in addressing capacity needs and ensuring that all Masters offices are adequately staffed to meet their operational demands and deliver efficient public services.
The committee heard that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is dealing decisively with corrupt activities and officials within the Master’s Office. Thus far, 14 officials have been formally charged with various contraventions as identified in both the Special Investigations Unit and FAU reports. Disciplinary hearings are actively underway for these individuals.
Among the charged officials, one has already been found guilty and was dismissed. Another official was also found guilty and received a sanction of three months suspension without pay. However, the department has filed additional charges against the official. The disciplinary process for these outstanding charges is set to begin in September 2024. One official resigned with immediate effect two days before their scheduled disciplinary hearing. A corruption and bribery anonymous tip-off line has been developed, and it will be available for both internal staff and external clients to report officials or external parties involved in corrupt activities related to Masters services. The Master’s Office plans to launch this functionality in the last week of September 2024.
Committee Members complained about the lack of service delivery at Masters offices where poor people are refused service with a mere notice on the door. Committee Member Adv Glynnis Breytenbach asked: “How is it acceptable that members of the public find such notices like the system’s down you can go home? These people use their last money for taxi to travel and are turned way with a mere notice. It is unacceptable.”
Another Member, Mr Sibonelo Nomvalo, called for the decentralisation of Masters offices, which would assist with the backlogs. Whilst committee member Mr Oscar Mathafa wanted timeframes in order for the committee to monitor implementation.
Committee Chairperson Mr Xola Nqola said filling vacancies is critical to improve services at Masters offices. He further stated that the digitisation process has been discussed since the sixth Parliament. “We need action on this,” he stated.
Mr Nqola assured the department that the committee will conduct an oversight visit to the Master’s Office to ensure that it monitors the plans presented out to the committee. “The committee must also play a supportive role in order to ensure that you perform your role,” he noted.
Rajaa Azzakani
11 September 2024
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