Lamola shuts down Masters’ Offices amid SIU raids
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola says a search-and-seizure operation will be conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) at Offices of the Master of the High Court across the country.
This comes after allegations surfaced that an official in Mpumalanga had siphoned at least R1.7 million from the department's coffers.
Lamola briefed the media in Pretoria on Monday, where he announced that all the offices would be closed from Tuesday to allow for investigations.
"The investigation was necessitated by several allegations of maladministration and corruption and the Mpumalanga case, wherein it was alleged that an official in the Master’s Office dipped an amount of R1.7 million through fraudulent activities.
"We will be shutting down all the Master's offices across the country to enable the SIU to gather, collate and retrieve information relevant to the investigation."
ALSO READ:
Four dangerous suspects escape in Mpumalanga
The four were being held at the Pienaar Police Station when they made a run for it on Monday morning. Police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi says they are following all leads but have urged the public not to approach the suspects, as they are considered dangerous.
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."
The Masters’ Office are there to serve the public in respect of Deceased Estates, Liquidations (Insolvent Estates), Registration of Trusts, Tutors and Curators, as well as Administration of the Guardian's Fund (minors and mentally challenged persons).
There are 15 offices around the country.
Lamola expressed deep concern that the siphoning of these funds jeopordises service delivery to society's most vulnerable.
"The outcomes of the investigations and the recommendations will help us to close the gap once and for all because we do not want the most vulneravle in society to be inconvienced in any way."