Sheriffs Act, 1986 (Act No. 90 of 1986)Chapter I : Appointment of Sheriffs and Other Persons6A. Minister may designate person to serve process |
| (1) | Whenever process of any court in a civil or criminal case is to be served with an area for which— |
| (a) | no sheriff or acting sheriff has been appointed; or |
| (b) | a vacancy in the office of sheriff in that area has, for any other reason, not been filled, |
the Minister may, notwithstanding any other law, and if he or she deems it necessary to achieve the objects of effective and sustainable service delivery and in the interest of justice, in writing, designate any official in the employ of the Department—
| (i) | for the period specified in the designation; |
| (ii) | in respect of the court specified in the designation; and |
| (iii) | on the conditions, if any, specified in the designation, |
to serve any process of that court or any other document as if the official had been appointed as a sheriff of that court.
| (2) | Section 30 does not apply to a person designated in terms of subsection (1). |
| (3) | The fees payable to a sheriff or acting sheriff in respect of or in connection with any service effected by an official referred to in subsection (1), shall be chargeable and shall be dealt with in the prescribed manner. |
[Section 6A inserted by section 5 of Act No. 14 of 2012]