Officials of the Masters Office of the High Court went on an information campaign at Mabopane Hall for the benefit of residents in the Mabopane, Winterveldt, Ga-Rankuwa area on Thursday morning.
The officials were invited to a public meeting in this regard by the Inwooners Baagi Civic Movement (IBCM).
The meeting was held at Matsepa primary school in Mabopane.
More than 300 elderly including youth came to attend the important meeting to learn more about the late estate, letter of authority, letter of executorship, estate of ownership.
According to IBCM’s Secretary General Thabo Sepato, many residents in the MAWIGA area have indicated that they encounter problems on issues like change of housing ownership, fights over house ownership and so they as an organisation thought it would be wise to invite officials of Masters Office of the High Court to come and clarify such issues to their members at a public meeting.
“We want our people to learn what a deceased estate is, what is needed in the event that assets of an estate must be distributed, the importance of a deceased last will and testament and all matters pertaining to how the wealth and funds of a deceased person can be claimed,” he said.
Tshepiso Mfunzana from the Pretoria Masters Office told Tshwane Talks that they were excited to be at the public meeting to enlighten local residents about the functions of the Master of Office of the High Court.
She said by getting informed about the functions of the Masters Office residents will get to know what it is that would bring them into trouble and what it is that would save them.
“The upcoming month of September is public service month in the Department of Justice, so that means even next month we will be taking similar information drive campaigns to educate people about their rights in relation to the Masters Office.
“We want people to know what to do and how to do it when reporting an estate and who qualifies to report an estate,” said Mfunzana.
“What most people sought clarity on is the issue of Letter of Authority from the Masters Office because it is usually used by many people to evict others from households,” she said.
She pointed out that another burning issue that was raised by residents was the issue of Letter of Executorship as it requires the services of a lawyer to change ownership of property, and that this was something expensive to them as they are poor.
She said residents also complained about the ever-rising costs of RDP houses even when there are no improvements that have been made to such houses.
She pointed out that they as Masters Office officials are not allowed to overreach but are limited to their mandate as other areas of changing an estate require the intervention of stakeholders like the municipality.
“The importance of a deceased last will and testament is very important as it avoids a situation where family members would have to rely on the word of mouth of the deceased when coming to executing the estate of the deceased.
According to Mfunzana, a will creates certainty regarding the deceased’s last wishes on how their estate must be distributed.
A will avoids fights among family members as everybody will get to know what the deceased wrote in their will, according to Mfunzana.
Mfunzana advised residents to approach the Masters Office as soon as there is a need to execute the will of the deceased and not wait many years before doing so, as this will make it very difficult and take long for officials of the Masters office to do their job.
“Our elderly people are suffering, and we heard their cry, and we are keeping that promise to get officials to help them put their estate, Wills in order before God remember them,” said Inwooners Baagi Civic Movement (IBCM) leader David Ratladi.
Ratladi said next week on the 23 August 2024 we will bring other officials from SAPS, department of social development, Tshwane municipality and department of home affairs to assist the elderly, childheaded families, disabled, individuals and also addressing issues of billing.
The event will be held at Matsepa primary school in Mabopane and will start at 9 am.
“I am glad to have received such valuable information today because all along I never took the issue of drawing up a will seriously,” said Anna Seroke.
“I thank IBCM for having brought officials of the Masters Office here to clarify us on issues like this because at the moment I am involved in a squabble with family members regarding our late parents’ family house,” said Ester Mashego.
“I learn a lot today and all thanks to IBCM for bringing officials from Masters of High court and I will get my things in order to avoid quarrel of God remember me,” said Freddah Ratshaka.