Compiled by Kevin O’Reilly
 Obituary: It is with sadness that the staff of De Rebus and the Law Society of South Africa heard about the passing of former Editor, Philip van der Merwe. Mr van der Merwe joined the Law Society of South Africa in 1988 and retired at the end of January 2011 after more than two decades at the helm of De Rebus. Over the course of approximately 260 issues, Mr van der Merwe meticulously reviewed and edited submissions, articles, and columns, and provided guidance to the Editorial Committee on content decisions. Mr van der Merwe joined De Rebus after relocating from Cape Town to Pretoria, bringing a blend of expertise as both a journalist and an attorney. He had previously worked as a reporter for the Rand Daily Mail in Johannesburg and later as a journalist for The Argus in Cape Town. Following a period of legal practice as both an attorney and advocate in Cape Town, he became an editor at the South African Law Reports. Mr van der Merwe passed away in Pretoria on 10 September after a severe case of pneumonia. |
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Prof Matlala had a BProc from the University of the North, an LLB and HDip Tax Law from Witwatersrand, an LLM from University of Cape Town, an LLM from Harvard, and an LLD from University of Fort Hare. He was an adjunct professor of law at the University of Fort Hare, and previously a senior lecturer and Head of the Department of Mercantile Law at the University of Venda and lectured at the Soweto campus of Vista University and at the University of the Witwatersrand. His focus areas were company law, tax law, negotiable instruments, copyright, trade marks and patent and design law. Prof David Matlala was 62 years old. |
| Obituary: Legal practitioner Lawrence Moffitt passed away from colon cancer on 8 October 2024. He began his career in the 1980s at the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court, working for the provincial Attorneys General. He continued serving as a High Court advocate with the Attorney General’s Office until 1995, when he transitioned to the Western Cape Law Society. From 1995 to 2022, he practiced as a defence attorney. Mr Moffitt was 67 years old. |
| Obituary: Former Judge Willem Heath passed away in Cape Town on 9 October 2024. He began his career as a prosecutor before practicing as an advocate. In 1995, he was appointed head of the Commission of Inquiry into Maladministration and Corruption in the Eastern Cape. From 1997 to 2001, he led investigations for the Special Investigations Unit. Former Judge Heath was 79 years old. |
| All People and practices submissions are converted to the De Rebus house style. Please note, five or more people featured from one firm, in the same area, will have to submit a group photo. For more information on submissions to the People and Practices column, e-mail: Kevin@derebus.org.za |
This article was first published in De Rebus in 2024 (November) DR 22.
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