By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Following the outcry of the members of the public about the Master of the High Court, Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala has appointed a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to look into the operations of the office.
This happened this morning at the High Court in Mbabane, where the CJ stated that what he did was in line with the resolutions that were taken at the Sibaya that was held last year in October. CJ Maphalala stated that Sibaya was a respected forum where decisions were taken by Emaswati on how things were supposed to be done in the country. He said this was also in line with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini Act of 2005.
The commission will be led by Supreme Court Judge Majahenkhaba Dlamini, with High Court Judge Mzwandile Fakudze being the deputy chairman of the commission. Other commissioners include Industrial Court Judge President Sifiso Nsibande, High Court Judge Maxine Langwenya, Industrial Court Judge Lorraine Hlophe, and Supreme Court Registrar Siphiwo Masuku.
The commission has started work today and members of the public are encouraged to make their submissions to this committee. Some officials from the Master of the High Court were also present during the appointment of the commission. Members of the public have been voicing concerns during the Sibaya, statting they did not understand the way this office was operating.
Some went as far as stating that they had been negatively affected in many ways because of the operations of the Master of the High Court. The Office of the Master of the High Court is one of the seven divisions of the Judiciary of Eswatini.
Its responsibilities include the administration of the estates of the deceased people; the protection of the interests of creditors and debtors, legatees, minor children and heirs in the writing up of deceased persons’ estates; liquidation of companies and the registration of safe keeping of wills. An estate can be reported by any person who was present at the time of death. A person who is in charge of the house where a person has died can also report an estate.
The reporting should be done within 14 days from the time of the death of the person whose estate is being reported. The reporting should be done at the Master of the High Court Headquarters or at any of its regional offices. Master of the High Court offices are located in Mbabane, Manzini, Siteki, Hlathikhulu, Nhlangano, and Pigg’s Peak.
