Computers, documents seized during masters’ office raids
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has seized computers and documents during search-and-seizure operations at Offices of the Master of the High Court in all nine provinces.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola announced the closure of the offices earlier this week amid allegations of maladministration and corruption.
Lamola’s decision followed allegations that an official in Mpumalanga had siphoned at least R1.7 million from the department.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the documents and computers seized would be used to conduct further investigations.
“We can confirm that the offices have now been completed, we have done all the masters offices in the country and have seized some computers that we are going to do reimaging on and some documents that we are going to start investigations on.”
The justice ministry’s Chrispin Phiri says they will await the SIU findings before deciding on a course of action.
“The SIU will make recommendations to the relevant law enforcement officers and if there is a need for arrest as well as recommendations for prosecution to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA). We look forward to receiving the SIU report as soon as possible and facilitate the required reforms in the masters’ office.”
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Lamola shuts down Masters' Offices amid SIU raids
On Monday, the office in Johannesburg was the first to be raided. "The SIU and the relevant authorities have started to conduct the raid," Lamola confirmed. "It's a very serious issue that is of concern to us and hence we want to get to the bottom of the matter so that we are able to account to the public."