SEVEN MPS ELECTED TO PROBE MASTER’S OFFICE

LOBAMBA - The office of the Master of the High Court will once again come under scrutiny.

This follows a House of Assembly resolution yesterday where Members of Parliament (MPs) unanimously agreed that the office be probed. As a result, a seven-member committee was elected to look into alleged gross maladministration, abuse of power and embezzlement of estate monies at the Master of the High Court office.

The motion stated that the seven-member committee must subsequently present a report to the House within 60 days of passing of the Motion. The mover of the motion was Gilgal MP Sandla Fakudze, who said it had come to their attention that estate monies were not properly distributed and that families complained of unfair distributions.

At this point, Deputy Speaker Phila Buthelezi asked the Speaker, Petros Mavimbela, if the matter could be debated, particularly since the Office of the Master was under the Judiciary and if it did not infringe on separation of powers. The Speaker, however, said he had not received any information why the Attorney General, Sifiso Khumalo, was not present and, therefore, ruled that the debate should continue.

Ludzeludze MP Vusi Swali, who seconded the motion, said when people visited the Masters Office, they all hoped for closure. He said, however, in some instances, it was alleged that the executor of the estate was not even chosen properly by all the family members. 

He further alleged that during some family disputes, most were of the belief that some of the Master’s Office officers were paid out by family members of a different faction. 

children

The MPs further stated that deliberations at the Master’s office took far long than expected, yet there were minor children who needed to be taken care of.

Mangcongco MP Oneboy Zikalala said the customer service was not appealing, which discouraged people from even approaching the government office. He alleged that clients were abused at the offices and simply told to write down their contact details. 

Kukhanyeni MP Malavi Sihlongonyane said it appeared as if the officers were working in syndicates, especially in the appointment of executors. 

Meanwhile, Manzini Region MP Busisiwe Mavimbela said although she supported the probe, some of the officers were professional. Timpisini MP Nelson Mamba decried the fact that some of the will executions took over 10 years which disadvantaged beneficiaries, in particular children. 

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Pholile Shakantu said she had no problem with the probe as her office was aware of the challenges it faced. She said all the laws were backdated, which included the Estates Act of 1902, Companies Act of 1912, Interstate Succession and Wills Acts of the 1950s. 

Shakantu said the United Nations Development Committee (UNDP) had also provided a consultant who was expected to deliver a report tomorrow. 

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