IP Members: Notice from the Master

30 April 2020

Dear Member

We have received the following notice from Ms T Bezuidenhout for your attention. We will circulate the new protocols immediately once to hand.

“As you are aware new regulations pertaining to level 4 lockdown will be issued soon. I have received input from SARIPA* and FISA, which I am thankful for. Services performed by the Master will be extended however it will be performed as per protocols which we issued before lockdown and which we are in the process to revise to include the additional service that will be rendered. 

It has, however, come to my attention that stakeholders are losing sight of the fact that we are indeed still in a lockdown albeit be it level 4 and probably other levels in other districts. I have copied members of LPIIF and I humbly request that you refer this mail to the correct persons to enable LPIIF to ensure that all attorneys are informed of our protocols as well.  I wish to clarify the following:

• Only limited services will be performed as per draft regulations that was publicized for input.
• Only a third of the staff will on rotation basis resume duty.
•  I have received many mails which the senders email to all and sundry. Please take note that those mails will go unanswered as officials were not on duty and we publicized on our website which emails addresses should be used.
• It is not business as usual come 4 May 2020 and we are trying to minimize the number of Public members that will visit the office. For this reason the protocols must be followed for the safety of the public as well as our own officials. 
• Even though we will have limited services it will be within the discretion of each Head of Office to address any other urgent matter brought before him/her. As far as possible people visiting the office , not referring to walk-in clients, should make an appointment with the relevant official they wish to meet with if a problem cannot be sorted out by way of mails.
• The offices will also address, as quickly as they can the backlog created by the lockdown.
• All offices will indicate persons whom are to be contacted by way of mails and  we will send you this as soon as possible. This will also be in regards to L&D accounts to be examined.

As soon as I can I will send the protocols to all, hopefully by close of business tomorrow. 

If any stakeholder has any burning issue please raise it with me. In this regard I am finalizing my input to the Minister regarding the issue with wills.

Please be patient and considerate as we are trying our best to deliver a service in very difficult times.”

Please visit our SARIPA Archives to view our suggestions to the Master and submissions to COGTA.

Stay safe and healthy.

Kind regards,
René Bekker
(SARIPA Chief Operating Officer)