The closure of the seat of the Grahamstown High Court will impact significantly on Grahamstown’s economy, with an estimated immediate loss of R23-million.
The closure of the seat of the Grahamstown High Court will impact significantly on Grahamstown’s economy, with an estimated immediate loss of R23-million.
Grahamstown functions mainly as a legal andeducational service centre and subsequently has a fragile economic base. The city’s livelihood depends on the courts, Rhodes University and the schools.
According to a well placed source within the Grahamstown legal fraternity, who wishes not to be named, if the court reduces in size or moves it could lead to job losses for some its 293 employees.
It is estimated that 500 families could be affected.Advocates, judges, attorneys, Director of Public Prosecutions staff and Master’s officials will also have to move, leading to further unemployment for secretaries, transcribers, interpreters and clerks.
Leased accommodation also contributes approximately R350 000 per year to the town’s economy. The source said moving the seat to Bhisho will reduce the number of people under Grahamstown’s jurisdiction by 75%.
Instead of having jurisdiction over 1 950 985 people, which includes people from East London and Port Elizabeth, it will only have jurisdiction over 462 254.
This reduction will make the town’s area of jurisdiction non-viable, resulting in less cases being heard and leading to staff transfers and the relocation of private practitioners.
It is estimated that the reduction in jurisdiction will have an immediate medium to severe financial impact on the town.
Economic activity is centred in Port Elizabeth, Mthatha, East London, King William’s Town and Queenstown and, since these areas will no longer be under Grahamstown’s jurisdiction, it will lead to the demise of the court within two to three years.
The source argued that suitable infrastructure in Grahamstown is already in place. The High Court has been refurbished and there are adequate advocates and judges chambers, master’s offices, Director of Public Prosecutions offices and attorneys’ firms in place.
The source said these existing facilities should be used as fully as possible without adding new and unnecessary burdens on the state.
The move could also lead to the relocation of the Master’s Office, which has been in Grahamstown for 40 years and which contributes approximately R2-million annually to the economy.
It will also impact negatively on other institutions. Fort England has a recently upgraded forensics unit worth R5-million and provides a valuable service to the High Court in criminal and civil matters.
Its staff would either have to relocate or pay extra travelling costs to Bhisho. The High Court also provides a service to Rhodes University’s Law Department with its library, access to specialist teachers and giving court experience to student lawyers.
