Unconfirmed reports reached FISA that the Masters of the High Court in Johannesburg, Mr Leonard Pule, Pretoria, Ms Penny Roberts, and Bloemfontein, Mr Jan du Plessis, were suspended. The reason(s) for the suspensions have not been confirmed. Despite an indication that the Department of Justice will issue a media statement, nothing has been forthcoming yet. Mrs Beatrice van Wyk is acting as Master: Johannesburg, while Ms Nthabiseng Ntsoane is acting Master: Pretoria, according to the contact information on the Department of Justice website (https://justice.gov.za/master/contacts.htm). The situation in Bloemfontein is unknown, as the website still reflects Mr Du Plessis as the Master.
Despite requests addressed to the Department of Justice for a statement, no statement had been issued by the time this edition of FISA Focus Weekly was produced yesterday at 17:00.