PETITION TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Online Petition demanding Immediate Action by the minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development for Safe Working Conditions at the Johannesburg Deeds Office** 

Introduction:
We, the undersigned members of the Conveyancing fraternity and Concerned stakeholders, hereby Petition the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development for immediate action regarding the unsafe working conditions at the Johannesburg Deeds Office.

 
Petition Points: 
1. 24 /2/2025: Johannesburg Deeds Office was evacuated and closed down as a result of unsafe working conditions in terms of the OHS Act. This includes inter alia, unsafe elevators, uncompliant electricity and fire detection measures, unsafe surroundings and lack of maintenance. 

2. 11/3/25: Undertaking by the Public Works, Agriculture and Labour to procure an alternative building within 6 weeks, contingency measures were put in place to continue operations during the 6 weeks interim period.

3. 10/4/25: Examiner robbed and assaulted and landed in hospital, 19 Deeds were taken in robbery. 

4. 22/4/25: 6 Weeks deadline was not met and contingency measures have become untenable; compromising safety of all role players, adversely affecting integrity of the Deeds registration process and severely constraining service delivery. 

5. Numerous complaints were directed to the Ministries and Role players involved, which have been ignored to date with no solutions offered and no alternative building identified.

Closing Statement:

1. We demand that the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development treat this matter with the extreme urgency it deserves. The safety of the Conveyancers and their Clerks, the Employees at the Johannesburg Deeds Office and the Public depend on immediate action.

 2. We demand that the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development identify an alternative building and supply clear time lines for the move in writing to the Johannesburg Conveyancers Committee and the JAA within 5 working days of receipt of this Petition.

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