New commissioner appointed to Tzaneen Small Claims Court
Advocate Matome Terrens Moseamedi has been appointed as the new Small Claims Court commissioner at the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court.
TZANEEN – On December 5, the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court welcomed Adv Matome Terrens Moseamedi as the new Small Claims Court (SCC) commissioner.
Moseamedi, who graduated from the University of Limpopo in 2014, was admitted as an advocate of the High Court in 2016 and has been practising in Polokwane since then.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the Department of Justice, and I hope to give better service to the public as the department entrusts me,” said Moseamedi.
The SCC is vital to the justice system, providing an efficient way for individuals to resolve disputes involving relatively small amounts of money.
Stephan Janse van Rensburg, chairperson of the SCC Advisory Board in Tzaneen, said that the SCC convenes at the Tzaneen Magistrates’ Court every Thursday afternoon, handling civil cases up to R20 000.
“There are currently 12 commissioners, all attorneys and advocates, serving pro bono,” he said.
The SCC services are free, and enquiries can be addressed to the SCC Clerk at the local Magistrate’s office.
To lodge a claim, individuals must open a file with the SCC Clerk, who then issue a letter of demand to the defendant. If unresolved after a 10-day notice, the clerk issues a summons, including a trial date, served by the sheriff (with a fee paid by the plaintiff).
On the trial date, the commissioner hears evidence from both sides and gives a judgement, which holds the same authority as a civil judgement of the Magistrates’ Court. If the judgment is not satisfied within 10 days, execution steps to enforce it can be implemented, Van Rensburg explained.
