Attorney Brin Brody called a press conference on behalf of the Grahamstown High Court Action Committee last week Thursday in which he encouraged Grahamstown residents to take action against moving the seat of the High Court to Bhisho.
Attorney Brin Brody called a press conference on behalf of the Grahamstown High Court Action Committee last week Thursday in which he encouraged Grahamstown residents to take action against moving the seat of the High Court to Bhisho.
Brody said: “The message I want to convey on behalf of the committee is that it has done what it can. It is now up to the residents of Grahamstown to take this further, everybody knows what is at stake.”
He said moving the court is now a “Grahamstown issue” and called for “opposition from the roots up” which includes opposition from unions, all local political parties and Rhodes students.
Brody confirmed that the committee has dispatched about 50 letters and memoranda opposing the move to recipients such as President Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, heads of court and various ministers.
The committee has also circulated the letter to 150 businesses and government organisations in Grahamstown, many of which have addressed letters which oppose the move to Justice Minister Jeff Radebe.
The current version of the Superior Courts Bill leaves it up to the minister to decide where the seat of the High Court will be situated and the area of jurisdiction.
The bill has been approved by Cabinet and will be tabled before Parliament. A parliamentary portfolio committee will then hear the submissions. Brody said, “Previously, the bill was indefinitely postponed.
Now the minister wants the bill through this year, so there’s not a lot of time.” He confirmed that if the Superior Courts Bill is approved by Parliament, East London will no longer have a High Court as there is no provision for it in the bill.
The only court will be in Bhisho, meaning that East Londoners will have to travel 50km to litigate in court there.
Brody said if any members of the public wanted to air their views, that they should address a letter to the minister.
Residents can send letters to Radebe at the following address: Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Mr JP Radebe
Private Bag X276
Pretoria
0001
