There’s a new sheriff in town
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says that thirty-two sheriffs have been appointed to fill vacant posts countrywide, to improve service delivery in the justice system.
The duty of the sheriff or deputy sheriff is to serve or execute all documents issued by the courts. These include summonses, notices, warrants and court orders.
The sheriff is the public face of the civil justice system.
The total number of permanent sheriffs currently operating in the country is 304. Of these, 124 are African (41%), 121 are white (40%), 22 are Indian (7%) and 37 are coloured (12%).
According to the Department of Justice, the appointed sheriffs reflect the demographics of the country in respect of race and gender, as envisaged in the Constitution.
Of the 32 newly appointed sheriffs, 19 are African (59%), eight are white (25%), four are coloured (13%) and one is Indian (3%).
A considerate number of women is increasingly being appointed with the intention to close the gender gap. Women represent 41% of the new appointees and men 59%.
The department, Deputy Minister Jeffery said, is determined to close the gender gap in the profession and further enhance the economic empowerment of women.
“Women now represent 83 (27%) of the total sheriffs and men 221 (73%). I’m pleased that of the 13 women that have been appointed, five have been appointed to medium and large sheriff offices.”
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