Masters’ Offices shut for SIU corruption probe

The justice department has shut down all Offices of the Master of the High Court across SA as part of an investigation into allegations of maladministration, corruption and fraud.

This was announced by justice minister Ronald Lamola on Monday, after a search-and-seizure operation conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) at the Master’s Office in Johannesburg.

President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorised the SIU probe.

“Following this proclamation, the special investigating unit conducted a search-and-seizure operation today [Monday] in the Masters’ Offices across the country,” Lamola said.

“This investigation was necessitated by several allegations of maladministration and corruption — and the Mpumalanga case, wherein it is alleged that an official in the Master’s amassed R1.7m through fraudulent activities — which further highlighted the need for an investigation of this nature.” 

The closure was effective from Monday and the offices will not be accessible until today.

“We are fully aware that the Master’s Office plays a critical role in our communities.

“It is an office that works for the most vulnerable in our communities — it works for orphans, minor children and the widowed,” Lamola said.

Its duties include the supervision of the administration of companies and close corporations in liquidation and  the safeguarding of all documentary material in respect of estates, insolvencies and liquidations.

Matters that were urgent could be escalated to the head office via the local magistrate’s office, Lamola said.

According to the department, the investigation will look into maladministration in relation to the estates of deceased and insolvent persons, as well as the protection and administration of the funds of minors, contractually incapacitated and undetermined and absent heirs, which have been paid into the Guardian’s Fund. —  TimesLIVE