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The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Michael Masutha (MP), has appointed 11 members to serve on the newly constituted South African Board of Sheriffs. In terms of the Sheriffs Act (Act 90 of 1986), the Minister is responsible for the appointment of sheriffs, as well as the appointment of the Chairperson of the Board.

The term of office of the new board will commence on Monday, 2 March 2015.

In line with the Constitution and Department’s commitment to transform the sheriff’s industry, the Minister has ensured that the newly appointed board is broadly representative in respect of race, gender and geographical composition. The board comprises six male and five female members from various provinces in the country.

The following are the new members of the Board:

•     Mr Thamsanqa Tembe: Law Society of South Africa representative
•     Mr Lesiba Mashapa: The National Credit Regulator representative
•     Professor Lovell Fernandez,: designated by the Minister
•     Mr Meko Magida:designated by the Minister
•     Ms Nomakhosi Skosana:  designated by the Minister
•     Ms Charmaine Mabuza, sheriff profession
•     Ms Petro Roodt, sheriff profession
•     Ms NomaJwara Victoria Soga: sheriff profession
•     Ms Mmathoto Lephadi:sheriff profession
•     Mr Ignatius Klynsmith: sheriff profession
•     Advocate Hisamodien Mohamed: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development representative.

The Minister commends the outgoing board, whose term expired on 28 February 2015, for the significant contribution that it has made in the professionalisation and transformation of the sheriff’s industry. Notable achievements include the implementation of a new Pledge and Code of Conduct applicable to the industry.

The Sheriff’s Code was last updated in 1990 when the Sheriff’s Act was amended, which made it irrelevant in the context of the country’s democratic constitution. The new Code of Conduct and Pledge are vital for improving service delivery and renewing public faith in the profession.

The new board is expected to continue to build on these achievements in the professionalisation of the sheriff’s industry. Amongst its major priorities is the publication of the new Sheriffs Guide: Practice and Procedure, which is intended to lay the foundation for a uniform approach to service delivery in the sheriff’s industry.

The Minister is confident that the new Board will promote a professional Sheriffs service that is respectful and efficient to deliver justice to all with integrity and accountability.

Issued by Department of Justice and Constitutional Development