Appointment of new commissioners

With the new appointed commissioners, Tzaneen now has a total of twelve commissioners who will be helping with small claims matters.

Advocate Ponele Robert Seshai, Advocate Willem Carl Scheepers and the Chairperson of the Advisory Board, Stephan van Rensburg during the appointment of commissioners.

The Tzaneen Small Claims Court appointed two new commissioners last Friday.

Willem Carl Scheepers and Ponele Robert Seshai are the first two advocates to be appointed to the Small Claims Court panel.

Advocate Seshai signing his appointment letter.

“This is the first time we appoint practicing advocates to the panel as we usually appoint attorneys. However, the procedure is the same. Any legally qualified person with more than five years’ experience can qualify,” said the chairperson of the Advisory Board, Stephan van Rensburg.

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The appointees were admitted by chief magistrate, James Norval, at the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court. “As it is a free service provided to the community, the appointment of commissioners for the Small Claims Court is voluntarily.

Advocate Scheepers signing his appointment letter.

Commissioners are appointed by the minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, but in most instances they are appointed by the chief magistrate on an ad hoc basis until their appointment is finalised by the minister,” said Van Rensburg.

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“The local Small Claims Court functions very well and the workload is evenly shared. Appointments of commissioners only take place when there are people from the legal fraternity who are willing to act as commissioners.”

Advocate Ponele Robert Seshai; Chief Magistrate, James Norval; Advocate Willem Carl Scheepers and the Chairperson of the Advisory Board, Stephan van Rensburg during the admission of commissioners.

The court handles cases where the disputed amount is up to R20 000 and sits from 16:00 every Thursday.

“The considerable experience that the commissioners bring to the court will ensure that the community has access to affordable and expedient dispute resolution.”