Two high-ranking officials in the Master’s Office claim they are being persecuted for fighting corruption.

According to a Rapport report, former acting Chief Master Tessie Bezuidenhout is taking on the Department of Justice for constructive dismissal while Christine Rossouw, a Deputy Chief Master in the Pretoria office, will defend herself against disciplinary charges this week.

Both officials were suspended at the end of last year due to alleged irregularities with the appointment of a liquidator for African Global Holdings (formerly Bosasa). 

The firm complained in March 2019 about the appointment of Cloete Murray as liquidator on a  request by SARS.

John Walker, both women’s lawyer, says Rossouw resigned as it became intolerable for her to work there.

Rossouw says her integrity was tainted irreparably and all her future decisions would have been questioned.

Bezuidenhout faces seven charges.

She is accused of withholding information from the Special Investigations Unit while there was an investigation into corruption and fraud at the Master’s Office – a claim she denies.

Another charge is that she acted outside her jurisdiction as the liquidation was initiated in the Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg).

Walker says the SCA has already confirmed that the Pretoria office, which is the main seat of the province, has jurisdiction over matters in Johannesburg.

Full report in Rapport (subscription needed)