Some Master’s Office challenges attributed to poor administration
MBABANE – The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Pholile Shakantu, has attributed some of the issues at the Master’s Office to administration shortcomings.
This, she said when responding to various concerns from Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday regarding the Master’s Office, which still cannot be probed due to a pending court case.
“What we are trying to fix using the family Bills touches on issues relative to those encountered at the Master’s Office. The master also cannot fix these issues because legislations in place such as the Administration of Estates Act of 1902, are now too ancient and irrelevant to the current period. Therefore, patience is required as once we are done with the Marriages Bills we will start with the estates ones,” she said.
The minister also said with regards to payments, it comes across as if it’s the master who ought to sign of on the payments such as through the Guardian Fund, which are delayed.
She said the master was not in possession of a cheque she could simply authorise but she was working with the Accountant General’s Office (AG), where one found that a request was put through but the process was too long and was not entirely done at the Master’s Office, therefore there was need to engage committees from the Finance and Public Service ministries to see how the problems that are more administrative can be solved, as not everything weighed only on the Master’s Office.
“The AG’s Office has also indicated that it is understaffed, hence the money cannot be quickly distributed. As we speak, one person is responsible for issuing payments not only for the Master’s Office but countrywide therefore you can imagine the backlog in payments and the delays.
“We are asking other committees to also play their part in ensuring that the administrative issues are addressed by working with the office,” said the minister.
This comes after MPs raised concerns over the Master’s Office not wanting to be probed yet there were countless problems attributed to that office.
Nkwene MP Vulimpompi Nhleko said the first quarter report had indicated that there was a staff shortage but there was need for clarity as to where and how many staff members were in short.
Meamwile, MPs have lauded the process of consultation of the Marriages Bill and Matrimonial Bill.
The MPs yesterday praised the fact that civilians and everyone alike were able to make submissions on the family Bills, stating that the response to the Bills had been positive and overwhelming.
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