GFT PISTORIUS meet the team
Theo Pistorius is the sole owner and Managing Director of G.F.T. Pistorius Inc. Although part of the legal profession in Middelburg since 1996, he developed his leading skills and knowledge in specialist areas of the legal practice with legal firms in Pretoria, such as Haasbroek & Boezaart, Rorich Wolmarans & Lüderitz and as director at Havinga & Kruger Inc. and Mendel Cohen & Partners Inc. Theo Pistorius completed his legal studies at the University of Pretoria in 1985 obtaining BLC and LLB degrees. In 1986 he was admitted as Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa and as an Attorney of the Supreme Court of South Africa in 1989. During this time, he was appointed to the panel of Trustees and Liquidators of the Master of the Supreme Court and served as such in various estates. His experience lies in the fields of Litigation, Commercial and Corporate Law, drafting and analyses of Commercial Agreements, Personal Injury Law, Insolvency Law, Local Government Law, and Property Law. He is also experienced in the fields of trademark applications & registrations, Arbitrations and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution, and judicial commissions.
Irene joined the G.F.T Pistorius Inc team as a professional assistant in April 2018, after being admitted as an attorney of the High Court South Africa. Irene served as a candidate attorney in 2017 in Pretoria, before joining the firm. Irene specifically adds valuable experience in both civil and criminal litigation in The High Court, Magistrate’s, and Regional Court, as well as Property Law. Irene is an admitted Conveyancer and overseas our Conveyancing Department. Irene obtained her B. Com Law degree in 2014 and her LL.B degree cum laude in 2016 from the University of the Free State.
Emilia is our Senior Assistant in the Litigation Department and assists with litigation, debt collection and commercial agreements. She obtained her national diploma in business administration from the Pretoria Technicon in 1997 and a national diploma in conveyancing practice in 2006. She joined our firm in July 2001. She has experience in debt collection, Magistrate, Regional and High Court litigation, administration, RAF matters, conveyancing, and general legal assistance. Emilia is the personal assistant to Mr Theo Pistorius.
She is our Senior Assistant in the Estates Department. She obtained her secretarial diploma in 1979 at CARR’S Commercial College, Pretoria. She started in August 1987 at the firm and has experience in Debt Collection, Litigation, Administration, Deceased Estates, Third Party Claims and General Office Administration.
She is currently our Senior Office Administrator, Receptionist and Bookkeeper. She obtained her diploma in Office Management at the Technical College of South Africa in 1991 and started at the firm in March 1993. She has experience in Bookkeeping, Litigation, Debt Collections, Conveyancing, Registration of Companies and Trusts, Drawing of Wills and Administration of Estates.
Zelna is our Senior Conveyancing Secretary. She obtained her Diploma in Conveyancing Practice in 2007. She joined our team in May 2009 and is the administrative head of the Conveyancing Department. She attends to the transfer of properties, registration & cancellation of bonds, notarial deeds, and ante nuptial contracts in the Deeds Office.
Michael obtained his BA Law degree in 2014 from the North - West University and a LLB degree in 2016 from the University of Pretoria. After completing his articles, he was admitted as an attorney of the High Court in April 2021. Michael joined the firm in 2024 as a professional assistant. Having obtained practical experience in his own firm, Michael has an interest in various aspects of the profession. He has experience in commercial debt recovery and uses his negotiation skills to obtain quick and effective results. In the area of commercial law, Michael has experience in corporate and general commercial
transactions and related intellectual property law. He is able to offer commercial advice and legal drafting services, tailored to suit the needs of large and small enterprises. He also handles matters in the Magistrates’ and High Courts of South Africa and provides practical and strategic advice in litigious or potentially litigious matters and is well versed in the practical realities of litigation in our various courts. Michael also regularly appears in the CCMA and has a special interest in labour related matters.
Vianca joined GFT Pistorius in 2022. She obtained her BA Degree in Health Science and Social Services in 2017 followed by a Honours Degree in Psychological Counselling in 2018. Her passion for law has also motivated her to peruse an LLB degree. Vianca works in our litigation department and has keen interest in civil and criminal litigation, family law and commercial law.
Kate joined the GFT Pistorius family in 2024.  She obtained a Bachelor of Law Degree in 2024 with interests in various fields of the law, including but not limited to property law, human rights law and criminal law. She is completing her articles and currently works in the litigation department.
She is our very diligent and devoted Office Administrator and relief Receptionist. She also assists in the Collections department.
Sonja completed a secretarial course after school and then worked in a bank for several years whereafter she was employed in the private sector as a personal assistant. Sonja joined G.F.T. Pistorius Inc in September 2017 and is responsible for debtors and creditors' control of the firm and assists in the conveyancing department.
Lebo is another one of our loyal office assistants whom one can always depend on. He is also our messenger and with such a friendly personality, nothing is ever too much trouble for him.
Lynelle joined the firm in 2024 as a secretary, where she will gain experience of the entire spectrum of the legal profession. She is the assistant for Michael Burger.
She is a Junior Conveyancing Secretary with certificates in Deed of Transfer, Mortgage Bonds & Sectional Titles from the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law 2021. She joined our team in April 2022 and has been in conveyancing since 2020. She assists in the Conveyancing Department in attending to the transfer of properties, registration & cancellation of bonds, notarial deeds, and antenuptial contracts in the Deeds Office.
Anneke is an assistant in the Litigation Department and assists with litigation, debt collection Magistrate, Regional and High Court litigation and general legal assistance. She has 10 years of experience in working for attorneys. She also obtained a national diploma in conveyancing practice in 2006. Anneke is the personal assistant to Irene Do O’Faustino.
Dirk Pistorius obtained his BCom Law degree in 2015 and LLB in 2016 from the University of Pretoria. He completed his articles at the Johannesburg-based firm Fullard Mayer Morrison Inc., and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court in July 2017, whereafter he was appointed as an associate with the firm. Dirk went on to serve as Legal Manager at the prestigious property development group, Atterbury Property, where he was involved in structuring and managing large-scale commercial transactions. His exposure to high-value deals and complex development matters has equipped him with strong commercial insight and a pragmatic legal mindset. Dirk specialises in commercial law, litigation and debt recovery, representing listed companies, developers, and prominent private entities. He is known for his strategic, results-driven negotiation style and his ability to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively. In the property space, Dirk advises on and manages a broad range of matters, including residential and commercial evictions, rental recovery, and lease enforcement. He is experienced in the vetting and negotiation of lease, sale, and development agreements, and is well-versed in the legal structuring and risk management of property transactions. In the area of commercial law, Dirk has experience in corporate structuring, contract negotiation, and general commercial transactions, with additional knowledge in intellectual property law. He offers tailored advice and drafting services to both established enterprises and growing businesses, aligning legal solutions with practical business needs. Dirk regularly appears in the Magistrates’ and High Courts of South Africa and provides strategic, outcome-focused advice in litigious or potentially litigious matters. He is well-versed in the practical realities of South African court processes and commercial dispute resolution. Dirk currently oversees our Pretoria office and acts as our lead commercial and litigation consultant.