Pretoria - The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has appointed 71 sheriffs to fill vacancies countrywide.
This takes the total number of permanent sheriffs, currently operating in the country, from 298 to 365.
“Sheriffs have an important role in the criminal justice system, as they act as third party to serve court process and execute the warrants and orders of the court which are issued in terms … the regulations of the different courts,” department spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga on Thursday.
The newly appointed sheriffs reflect the demographics of the country in respect of race and gender, says Mhaga.
Of the 71 appointed sheriffs, 47 are African, 11 White, 6 Coloured and 7 Indian. Women represent 18 of the new appointees and men 53.
Mhanga says significant strides have been made to transform the sheriff’s profession in the country.
Before 1994, there were 465 sheriffs operating nationally. Of these 465 sheriffs, 22 (4.73%) were women and 443 (95.27%) were men. The racial demographics of these 465 sheriffs were: 414 Whites (89.03%); 44 Africans (9.46%); 5 Coloureds (1.08%) and 2 were Indians (0.43%)
“These appointments have gone a substantial way to making the Sheriff’s profession more presentable and in line with the transformative vision and goals of the Constitution. The department will continue to work hard in order to ensure that justice is accessible to all.”
The new sheriffs will assume duty as of 1 October 2013 after completing a mandatory induction training programme. – SAnews.gov.za
