On Monday Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola announced the closure of all 15 Master's offices in the country while the SIU conducted search and seizure operations.

The investigation into allegations of corruption, fraud and maladministration has resulted in the temporary closure of all 15 Master’s offices around South Africa to the public and staff. 

The Deputy Master of each office is required to assist the SIU with all information relevant to the scope of the investigation.
 
"The 15 Master’s Offices across South Africa play a critical role,” SARIPA chief operations officer René Bekker said. 

The Insolvency division of the Master’s Office is particularly important, SARIPA said.

It regulates and supervises the administration of insolvent estates by appointing insolvency practitioners to administer the insolvent estates, safeguarding all documents of any estate and processing all enquiries of the insolvent estates speedily and professionally.

“Unfortunately, our members encounter difficulties daily, for example long delays are experienced in required responses from the Master’s offices and files at the Master’s offices go missing resulting in the delayed administration of insolvent estates,” Bekker said.

"SARIPA believes that such an in depth investigation will assist in the identification and resolution of problems which have been identified by insolvency practitioners and SARIPA members," the statement said. 

"The association is optimistic that the investigation will result in a report setting out remedial steps towards delivering efficient and professional services to the citizens of South Africa."

African News Agency