15a.   Guidelines for preparing and registering of the notarial deed

 

General procedures

 

1.      Two parties, in the presence of a notary public and two witnesses must execute the bilateral notarial deed, prepared by an attorney, whereafter the deed must be lodged for registration in a deeds registry at the deeds office. If a party to the deed authorises an agent to act on his/her behalf, a special power of attorney should be prepared by the notary public and signed by the party authorising the agent to sign all the necessary documentation on his/her behalf.

 

2.      The notary public must affix his/her seal to the deed, which he/she executes, or certifies. The notary public also provides a protocol number, which appears on the front page of the notarial deed.

 

How does this relate to preparing a notarial deed for commonage?

 

1.      To ensure that commonage is used for the intended purposes, DLA requires that a notarial deed be registered against the title deed.

 

2.      DLA appoints an attorney, instructing him/her to prepare, appear before a notary public and execute the notarial deed. A pro forma notarial deed, including the conditions stipulated by DLA, has been drawn up and approved by the Chief Registrar of the Deeds office.

 

3.      The two parties responsible for executing the notarial deed are the Premier of the relevant province and the relevant municipality.

 

4.      However, it is not expected of the Premier or the municipality, to appear in person before the notary public. Both parties can delegate the executing power to the appointed attorney. (See example of power of attorney). The attorney in his/her capacity as duly authorised agent appears before the notary public.