Dear Editor –
I am tired of hearing about our ‘bogus sheriff’. Nobody seems to have their facts straight. So I feel the time has come to address the insinuations that Mrs Matthews has ever acted inappropriately.
Firstly, about the validity of Mrs Matthews’s appointment: The Deputy Minister of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is the person who appoints sheriffs. In March 2016, Mrs Matthews retired as the permanently-appointed sheriff after a tenure of more than 20 years, but was asked by the Minister to continue her service as acting sheriff for one year or until the proposed changes in the demarcation for the area were finalised and a successor appointed.
The Board for Sheriffs, which does not appoint sheriffs but regulates them, duly issued Mrs Matthews with a Fidelity Fund certificate to act as the sheriff for this period.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Ugu threatens legal action against those who spread incorrect information on social media
In March 2017, Mrs Matthews communicated with the Department of Justice requesting the way forward. She was asked to continue acting until the end of July 2017. However, the Board for Sheriffs did not approve of this decision by the Department of Justice, and so they refused to issue Mrs Matthews with a Fidelity Fund certificate for this period, despite all the correct forms being submitted and all the fees being paid by Mrs Matthews and accepted by the Board. Mrs Matthews’s legal advice was to continue operating until the Department of Justice asked her to stop.
It was only after the end of July 2017 that the Board for Sheriffs communicated with the Department of Justice to inform them that they had never issued her with a Fidelity Fund certificate, and that hence she acted “illegally” as a sheriff. The local magistrate’s court was informed of this by the board as early as March 2017, but they too continued to use the services of Mrs Matthews as directed by the Department of Justice.
So, the accusation that she was a “bogus” sheriff all relates to a technical difficulty between two government departments that did not co-ordinate their actions. It certainly is no fault of Mrs Matthews.
Secondly, about the accusations made by Mr Pickston that he is an innocent victim of an unlawful sheriff: Mr Pickston would have had his vehicle removed by any sheriff, whether it was Mrs Matthews or whoever. Note that the newly-appointed acting sheriff has taken over his vehicle and is proceeding exactly as Mrs Matthews had done.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: How to reduce the risk of having your vehicle stolen
You cannot live in a rental house without paying your rent. He should have realised by the second month that he was just not making it, and moved to a cheaper residence. Anyone with an ounce of decency would have done so. I am not judging, by the way, I can only say: “There, but for the grace of God go I.” It is what I would have done.
Thirdly, the appointment of the new sheriff was another instance where the Board for Sheriffs usurped the authority of the Department of Justice: The Department of Justice requested applicants to apply for the position. The most likely appointee was the experienced Rob Turner, who had been the senior deputy of this area for 16 years and who was recommended by the Magistrate’s Court, the local legal circle and several other parties. However, the department was requested that Mr Turner not be included in the nominations, as he did not have an existing Fidelity Fund certificate, whereas the neighbouring sheriff at Umbumbulu did have one, albeit not for this area. On that basis all other applicants were also excluded.
The new acting sheriff already had staff, so not only were no new jobs created, but several previous employees are now unemployed. Had Mr Turner been given the position, there would not have been any loss of jobs.
Let’s hope this puts an end to the harassment of an innocent person.
MAE RENWICK
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
