Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)NoticesDirections regarding Auctions and Sales in Execution conducted by Sheriffs of the Court4. Conditions for conduct of sales in execution |
| 4.1 | No persons other than a sheriff or employees, and a bidder registered by a sheriff, shall be permitted to be present at a sale in execution. |
| 4.2 | The number of persons permitted to be present n the designated area shall not, at any time, before or during the sale in execution exceed 50: Provided that the sheriff may— |
| (a) | limit the number of persons entering the designated area to less than 50 persons, based on the floor space of the designated area to ensure compliance with the requirement relating to physical distancing of 1.5 metres between persons; |
| (b) | direct that the number of persons in the designated area be reduced to comply with safety measures and physical distancing requirements; and |
| (c) | refuse entry into the designated area to any person who, in the 14 days before the date of the sale in execution, has been in contact with, or exposed to, another person who has tested positive for COVID-19, until such person seeking entry has tested negative. |
| 4.3 | In the event that the sale in execution is conducted indoors, the sheriff shall ensure that it is conducted in a well-ventilated space. |
| 4.4 | A sheriff who conducts a sale in execution must— |
| (a) | clearly display signage at the designated area to inform attendees of the risks associated with COVID-19 and the compulsory measures required to mitigate such risks; |
| (b) | ensure that the safety measures prescribed in these Directions are put in place and are observed by attendees; |
| (c) | screen all attendees and employees, including, but not limited to, taking the person's temperature, before permitting access to the designated area and refer any attendee or employee that shows any symptoms of COVID-19, for testing by the relevant authorities; |
| (d) | deny entry to the designated area to any attendee or employee who shows any symptoms of COVID-19; |
| (e) | keep a register of all attendees, including employees, which register shall include the identity number, physical address and telephone number of every person who enters the designated area; |
| (f) | ensure that physical distancing of 1,5 metres between persons at the designated area is strictly adhered to; |
| (g) | ensure that goods offered for sale are sanitised; |
| (h) | ensure that attendees sanitise their hands before and after examining goods for sale, in instances where examination is necessary; |
| (i) | ensure compliance with health protocols by— |
| (i) | providing hand sanitisers which must be strategically placed outside and within the designated area; |
| (ii) | ensuring that all attendees and employees sanitise their hands at the entrance to the designated area; |
| (iii) | ensuring that physical distancing of 1,5 metres between all attendees at a sale in execution is maintained for its entire duration; |
| (iv) | ensuring that all employees and attendees wear a cloth face mask, homemade item, or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth; and |
| (v) | ensuring that the designated area is cleaned before and after a sale in execution. |
| 4.5 | Any person who refuses or fails to comply with these Directions must be refused entry to the designated area, or must be removed from the designated area. |