Master's offices woes

POSITIONS: TERMS OF LEADERS INCLUDING THE ACTING HEAD EXPIRED

- Amanda Visser

The department of justice says the delays in communications relating to key appointments in the master's offices across the country, including the appointment of the chief master, were due to "necessary internal coordination".

Stakeholders have been desperately trying to get answers from Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi after several master's offices ground to a halt for almost two weeks.

The terms of several interim positions, including the acting chief master, expired.

The offices are responsible for:

The winding up of deceased estates;

The administration of insolvent estates;

The appointment of curators; and

Management of the Guardian Fund, which administers the assets of minor children and mentally challenged individuals.

Many of these duties are delegated to officials in the master's offices, but in the absence of a master or acting master, there is no power of delegation.