ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe has advised Makana that a campaign to save its High Court "must not come as an effort by Grahamstown but as the Eastern Cape as a whole".
ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe has advised Makana that a campaign to save its High Court "must not come as an effort by Grahamstown but as the Eastern Cape as a whole".
Mantashe was speaking at a gala dinner hosted by Makana Municipality on Thursday night. A good portion of the evening was spent seeking understanding on the retention of the High Court in Grahamstown.
Mantashe’s advice was that the municipality must engage with the provincial ANC on the matter. He pointed out that if the ANC is with them, the premier of the Eastern Cape will support them also.
He warned that, “If you have not included the provincial ANC, you are likely to have three regions contesting you to go to Mthatha.”
Mantashe indicated that government policy is to establish a single judicial system with divisions that have High Courts in all the provinces. He added that it would make justice accessible to everyone, especially the poor.
Poor man’s justice
“We shall be judged by the impact we make on the poorest,” he said.
He also mentioned that moving the High Court will not have an adverse impact on the poor. He said many poor people work in the court and it is moving to an environment that is closer to the poor.
Paul Notyhawa, Cosatu representative, supported Mantashe by saying that transformation also includes civil work performed by police and the judicial system.
“The issue is not to move the court but transformation of the justice system,” said Notyhawa.
He added that, “they must know that the bigger agenda is the poor getting access to the judicial system”.
Regional Secretary, Nosisa Siwendu said that a stakeholder-driven task team was established to deal with the matter and they were looking forward to the outcome.
Grahamstown’s position
Ali Adam, representing the business community said, “the reason for fear is that we are custodians of this community and any rumour that affects business affects the economy of Makana, which is unstable.”
Ali Adam, representing the business community said, “the reason for fear is that we are custodians of this community and any rumour that affects business affects the economy of Makana, which is unstable.”
He indicated that there are no industries in Grahamstown and highlighted that the main source of employment in Grahamstown is Rhodes University, Settlers Hospital and Fort England.
“Makana is an education town that depends on schools,” Adam said.
The Grahamstown High Court Action Committee’s Brin Brody used the analogy of a beehive to describe the significance of retaining the High Court. He referred to the High Court as the queen bee. He indicating that if she leaves the beehive, all the bees will die. He estimated that 40% of the people who work for or at the court will be unemployed, 20% lawyers will leave and added that 200 civil servants will move. This wills negatively reducing the town’s revenue.
“The move of the court will be devastating to Grahamstown, the people that will suffer the most are those who cannot move,” he said sadly.
Speaking on behalf of Rhodes University, Rhodes Deputy Vice Chancellor, Sizwe Mabizela said the university understood that the Supreme Court Bill sought to redress inequalities and ensures access to justice but did not approve that the court should be defined by the political adjustment.
Mabizela said reduced revenue may affect the municipality’s capacity to provide basic services. If that happens, Rhodes University cannot survive either. He described Grahamstown’s economy as fragile and maintained that moving the High Court will reduce the volume of work and lead to the closure of all the local courts.
Shoba Sparks, Ward six committee member said, “I think the High Court is best placed in Grahamstown, because the town is situated in the middle of the Eastern Cape.”
Egmont Bonwer, a candidate for the SRC President 2011 at Rhodes University, said “I am afraid that those who are complaining are doing so for sentimental reasons other than economical. I need to research more on the subject as I am not well informed.”
"There are no rules saying that the government determines the seat of court,” Mantashe said.
He urged the stakeholders to make their decision based on recommendations and promised to convey their concerns to the Minister of Justice, Jeff Radebe.
What do you think about the moving of the Grahamstown High Court to Bhisho?
