Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
The justice and constitutional development minister, Jeff Radebe, has indicated that a policy on the appointment of liquidators is being developed to ensure that the management of insolvent estates is carried out in an effective manner.
The minister made this announcement during an address at the official opening of the refurbished master’s office of the high court in Pietermaritzburg.
He admitted that fraud and corruption remain a challenge for the master’s office in general.
The minister confirmed that his department has “identified the services rendered by the master of the high court a priority matter as they have a greater impact on the lives of the people, especially the poor and vulnerable groups”.
He outlined some of the measures taken to reduce fraud and corruption:
• Masters own verification identity technology installed-together with home affairs department
• Third part funds reconciled on daily basis
• Beneficiaries encouraged to collect cheques in person- reduce chances for fraudulent bank accounts
• Push for prosecution of corrupt individuals-create a deterrent
A key priority of the department is to improve the turnaround time at the masters’ offices.
“The department has consequently introduced the integrated case management (ICM) system as part of the broader modernisation of all service points in South Africa, to ensure accessibility and acceleration of service delivery”.
Financial management systems have also been introduced at masters’ offices to bring about efficient use of public funds.
The aim is to achieve a clean audit in the 2012/13 financial year.
In order to boost service delivery at masters’ offices, a service charter has been adopted. The charter sets down service delivery standards.
Sabinet Cape Town Office
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