Modernised Masters Office for Cape Town

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Pretoria - The Cape Town’s Masters Office has now moved to new, bigger and modernised premises.

The Masters Office, which was previously located at Lustitia building, Parade Street, has now moved to 45 Castle Street.

The new premises have been equipped with state-of-the-art technology and will offer paperless estate administration services, which will enable practitioners and members of the public to view estate information online.

One of those modernised tools being that the Master will now be able to use the Master’s Own Verification Technology -- which  means people will no longer need to first go to Home Affairs offices to verify their identification.

Speaking at the opening of the premises named after anti-apartheid stalwart, Dr Dullah Omar, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe, said the Master of the High Court was a strategic priority as it served the public in the very important respects of deceased estates, liquidations, registration of trusts, tutors and curators, as well as administration of the guardian's fund for minors and mentally challenged persons.

He said the infrastructure improvements fulfil the right to access to courts and underscore the departmental vision of “a transformed and accessible justice system, which promotes and protects social justice and the rule of law”.

“The relocation of the Master’s services will bring a more dignified environment for the rendering of services. There will be more visibility as the services would now be brought closer to the people.

“There will also be disability facilities, including improved health and safety laws, more office space, a library and training rooms,” said Radebe.

He hoped that the new service point will be guided by Omar’s humility, selfless dedication and commitment to the cause of those seeking justice services.

The late Omar was the first Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in the democratic era.

Omar believed that law must serve justice, community and must give effect to human rights and democracy. – SAnews.gov.za