The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe, today officially opened the new service point of the Cape Town Master of the High Court. The new masters’ office is now appropriately housed in a building which is named after the distinguished hero of the anti-apartheid struggle and South Africa’s first democratic Minister of Justice, Dr Dullah Omar.
The late Omar fought tirelessly for justice in an unjust legal system during the apartheid era and during his tenure as the Minister of Justice he played a major role in setting up the new prosecution system headed by the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Omar was also instrumental in the development of the framework for the transformation of the administration of justice in a document entitled "Justice Vision 2000". He embarked upon a programme of institutional reform and piloted legislation to set up statutory bodies such as the Constitutional Court, Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Public Protector. He also spearheaded the setting up of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which was established to heal the wounds of apartheid.
The relocation is line with Public Service Month on which the Public Service Charter was launched by the Department of Public Service and Administration to bring a more dignified and caring justice services closer to the people.
“As envisaged by stalwarts such as the late Omar, the relocation of the Masters’ office will enable the department to realize the vision of equitable and dignified justice services. The new service point of the Cape Town Master of the High Court will be fitted with advanced technological equipment as part of the department’s turnaround strategy to improve services.”
“The infrastructure improvements fulfil the right to access to courts as guaranteed by the Constitution. It will further underscore our departmental vision of “a transformed and accessible justice system which promotes and protects social justice and the rule of law,” said the Minister.
The building is fitted with an efficient Paperless Estates Administration System (PEAS), which will enable practitioners and members of the public to view estate information online. Master will now be able to use the Master’s Own Verification Technology (MOVIT). This is essentially the Master’s own identification system, whereby people will no longer need to first go to the Home Affairs Offices to verify their identification.
Trusts can now be registered online thereby removing the need for the public to either post or hand deliver Trust Deeds to the Office. This will be done in the comfort of the submitter’s office or home.
In addition to the registration and administration of trusts, the Master's Branch serves the public in respect of Deceased Estates, Liquidations (Insolvent Estates), Tutors and Curators, as well as administration of the Guardian's Fund (minors and mentally challenged persons).
In this regard, the department has increased the centres for payment of Guardian Fund benefits from 10 in the previous financial year to 29. This Fund, the value of currently stands at R9 billion, contributes to the improvement of the quality of life of thousands of our orphaned children.
The new infrastructure will also free up space for more court cases to be disposed of at the Magistrates Court where the Master is currently accommodated. Accordingly, the department has identified the transformation of the Master’s Services as one of its strategic priorities, which has led to a need to professionalise the service in all aspects.
Enquiries:
Mthunzi Mhaga, Spokesperson for Justice
Cell: 083 641 8141
E-mail: Mediaenquiries@justice.gov.za
