Stakeholders demand stability in Master’s offices

Stakeholders are calling for stability in the Master of the High Court's offices. Acting Chief Master and Acting Director-General Kala Pillay has not made progress in addressing the concerns, and some affected parties feel the situation has worsened since last year. The Johannesburg Master's Office, one of the busiest, has been without a head for nearly two months.

This has led the Johannesburg Attorneys' Association to threaten legal action if an appointment is not made within seven days. Katherine Gascoigne, head of the Master's Office portfolio at the JAA, emphasized the importance of an acting Master, stating that the situation is urgent. The offices handle various tasks including administration of deceased estates and insolvent persons, protection of minors, supervision of company administration, and more.

Gascoigne also highlighted that eight Master's offices currently lack a permanent head, including the Chief Master's Office. Outdated legislation and IT systems are further complicating matters, and stakeholders have been waiting for directives and new legislation for over a year and two years, respectively. Gascoigne expressed disappointment that the vacancy of the Johannesburg office was not considered when the previous Acting appointment was renewed six months prior to its expiry.