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Former Joburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse resigns
The Democratic Alliance Caucus in Johannesburg Metro Council has confirmed the the resignation of former executive mayor Dr. Mpho Phalatse from her roles within the party and as a councillor. “Throughout her tenure, Dr. Phalatse has exhibited dedication and commitment, serving diligently as City Mayor, Mayoral Committee Member for Health, and as a leader of the main opposition. Her decision to pursue private business ventures within the healthcare sector speaks to her enduring passion for public health and the welfare of our communities,” said the Caucus spokesperson Devon Steenkemp. While Dr. Phalatse will be sorely missed in her official capacities, the Caucus expressed their gratitude for her contributions as an elected public representative. She still remains an unwavering member of the party. “The challenges faced by Johannesburg, notably the political fragmentation resulting from the November 2021 local government elections, have been a cause for concern. This excessive fragmentation has seen 18 parties gaining representation in the council, with the balance of power precariously held by parties with a single seat. The ensuing instability is a direct consequence,” Steenkamp explained. The party has called for the current Council in the City of Joburg, led by Al-Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda, to be dissolved and a new administration voted in.
Vol. 10 Issue #12: 1-8 September 2023
Mapepeza
Joburg building fire to be investigated Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has appointed a commission of inquiry into the Usindiso Building fire in Marshalltown, which claimed the lives of 77 people and left many others injured and homeless. Justice Khampepe will be joined on the commission by Advocate Thulani Makhubela and Vuyelwa Mathilda Mabena. “The commission will investigate the prevalence of hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, what caused the deadly blaze in Marshalltown, and who must shoulder total responsibility for this tragedy. “In Joburg, the issue of stolen buildings is becoming a crisis, necessitating drastic
action. A thorough intervention is required to ensure that disasters like the Marshalltown fire, one of the deadliest in recent memory, never happen again,” Lesufi said. The commission’s terms of reference are expected to be gazetted soon, with a report to be produced for the Premier. Lesufi urged affected residents to come forward and assist the commission in its work. “We urge all affected communities and organisations to make submissions and work with the commission to get to the bottom of this intractable problem of hijacked buildings,” Lesufi said.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) is expected to officially launch the Masters’ Deceased Estates Online Registration System in October.
tion at a specific time and you will be attended to either by an estate controller, a legally trained professional or an assistant master…depending on the complexity of the matter,” Mathibe said.
At National-level, the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure has been tasked with conducting a government-wide investigation into hijacked buildings in the country’s metros. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala will lead the task of identifying all hijacked buildings in the country, as well as indicate what should be done with all those State-owned properties. Out of 29 000 buildings in the department’s asset register throughout the country, the department has embarked on a process to recover about 1260 properties that have been flagged as being illegally occupied.
Master Offices services to be digital
In a webinar to inform the public about the new online service, Advocate Kanyane Mathibe, Chief Director for Strategy and Policy in the Office of the Chief Master said the system seeks to enable the Masters’ offices to serve clients in a quicker manner and reduce queues. “We then embarked on a journey to develop an online deceased estates registration system that cuts the time in half that you can now register or report estates in the comfort of your home or in your office without having to interact with the Masters’ Office except in the lodgement of an original will where you would still need to lodge the original will after which the letter of authority would be granted. “Further to that, we then allowed other features to be developed including an online appointment booking system where you would be able to book an appointment with the master in your jurisdic-
She explained that the office had received a number of complaints about services at the Master’s Office and this, coupled with other factors, prompted the move towards an online service.
stances, misplacing or losing client documents where then duplicate files would have to be created. And we’ve been plagued by load shedding… that interrupts our services in offices where back up power has not been installed,” she said. Mathibe added that a new letter of authority will be put in place in order to cut out incidents where letters of authority or executorship were fraudulently obtained through falsifying signatures.
“We have had challenges. Some…would have submitted complaints about the chal“We now have a QR Code… lenges that you’re experienc- that is embedded in a letter ing with the Masters’ Office. of authority. So the new letter We’ve got long queues. We’ve of authority…it’s got an emgot more clients than we have bedded QR code where you the capacity to handle in our can then verify the authenticoffices. ity of the letter of authority or We’ve seen increased cus- the letter of executorship by tomer complaints over the a master,” she said. year, two years or so with “We have had chalthe slow response of our lenges. Some…would have systems, the high likelihood submitted complaints about of fraud where letters of authe challenges that you’re thority are being manipulated experiencing with the Masthrough fraudulent activities. ters’ Office. We’ve got long queues. We’ve got more cli“Repeat walk ins where you ents than we have the capaccome into the Master’s Ofity to handle in our offices..”. fice, you do not have the right documents, we send Adv. Kanyane Mathibe, Chief you back and you still have Director for Strategy & Policy in the Office of the Chief Master to come back. In some in-
