The Ministry of Justice has yet to respond to the representations submitted by the Grahamstown Attorneys’ Association and the Grahamstown High Court Action Committee (HCAC) on the High Court move.
The Ministry of Justice has yet to respond to the representations submitted by the Grahamstown Attorneys’ Association and the Grahamstown High Court Action Committee (HCAC) on the High Court move.
Both associations sent their written representations addressed to the Minister of Justice and the Secretary of Parliament electronically and hand delivered a copy to the ministry on Friday, 26 June.
To date, there has been no feedback. At a press briefi ng yesterday, Advocate Brin Brody described the envisaged move to Bisho as “catastrophic” for Grahamstown.
He said it would “decimate the attorney’s profession in Grahamstown and this in turn would result in untold miseries to many in the town.
No comparable gain to any other centre would arise which could justify the harm to Grahamstown,” he said.
In a press statement, the Grahamstown Attorneys Association wrote that the move would cost the taxpayer between R300- and R400-million.
Brody agrees, saying that “At least 20 of the 60 attorneys would immediately have to relocate. This would have a ripple effect on employment.”
According to Brody, 50% of the members of the association consist of previously disadvantaged attorneys compared to 1996 where they had only 19%.
Representing the HCAC, Rhodes Deputy Vice Chancellor Sizwe Mabizela said the committee has highlighted the “disastrous effects” that the move would have on Grahamstown.
“From my point of view if the issue is about transformation. I fail to see how relocating the seat from Grahams-town to Bisho would contribute to the transformation of the judiciary.”
Mabizela said Grahamstown’s loss would not benefit Bisho in any way given the fact that there is scarcity of accommodation in Bisho and King William’s Town.
Employees would have to move to East London which is about 100km away. Meanwhile the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM) added their voices to the cause.
UPM chairperson Ayanda Kota said the consequences of the move would be “borne by those who have nothing”.
He said although the under-privileged in Grahamstown are “scared to speak out about issues and have given up, the UPM will fi ght.”
Some members of the UPM marched to the High Court where they erected a banner expressing their dissatisfaction with the move.
The local offi ce of the Congress of the People is also preparing a march next week opposing the High Court move. Regional Justice Ministry spokesperson, Tlali Tlali could not be reached for comment.
