Pretoria - The unequal division of income for sheriffs was being looked into, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery, said on Monday.
He was speaking at the induction of 32 new sheriffs in Pretoria.
Jeffery said the department already had a task team to deal with complaints raised about the unequal income levels in the Pretoria, Joburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth magisterial districts.
“The task team has already begun holding meetings to ensure that there is an equal financial equity between sheriffs in a single magisterial office.
“In bigger cities, a magisterial district will be split into more than one sheriff’s district. This is because if there was only one sheriff, he would make a fortune.”
Jeffery said the task team would also be investigating boundary disputes and assist with the re-demarcation of magisterial districts in Gauteng and the North West.
Changes in Limpopo and Mpumalanga had taken effect and other provinces would follow.
The task team’s preliminary report has already been submitted, and all investigations should be completed by March 31.
Jeffery said he was pleased that the number of female sheriffs had increased. The 2014 nationwide audit by the SA Board for Sheriffs showed that of the 288 sheriffs, 41% were white and 39% black, while women constituted 27%.
“This new batch of aspirant sheriffs entering the profession have a good representation of women. We are aiming for a profession that is reflective of our demographics by ensuring more black and women sheriffs are chosen,” said Jeffrey.
Pretoria News