The Department of Justice issued a media statement late on Friday, 26 April 2024, confirming the suspension of the Masters of the High Court in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein.
According to the Master’s contact list on the Department’s website Ms Nthabiseng Ntsoane has been appointed as acting Master in Pretoria in place of the suspended Ms Penny Roberts and Mrs Beatrice van Wyk has been appointed to act as Master: Johannesburg in the place of the suspended Mr Leonard Pule. According to the media statement the Master: Bloemfontein has also been suspended, but the website still reflects the suspended Mr Jan du Plessis as the incumbent.
Several Deputy Masters, Assistant Masters, and estate controllers have also been suspended.
The statement gives the reason for the suspensions as: “… precautionary suspensions pending the outcome of investigations into allegations of financial irregularities and maladministration in the affairs of the Master of the High Court and Family Law Services.”
Click here for the statement.