"It is not the intention to close down the Grahamstown High Court,” said Ministry of Justice official Advocate Jacob Skosana, referring to the Superior Courts Bill at a briefing about the proposed High Court move on Tuesday.
"It is not the intention to close down the Grahamstown High Court,” said Ministry of Justice official Advocate Jacob Skosana, referring to the Superior Courts Bill at a briefing about the proposed High Court move on Tuesday.
Local residents, students, lawyers and local political parties were angry after he left the briefing before they were able to voice their views on the move. Skosana implied that legal jargon may have caused some confusion as the bill was merely to enhance service delivery and equity in bringing significant transformation of the judicial system and the judiciary.
Skosana said there is no way that the government can take taxpayers money to develop infrastructure while abandoning another. He added that the purpose is to evenly spread the judicial services so that people of the different areas can be provided with the services without succumbing to high travelling expenses to get to those services.
After Skosana's early departure from the briefing, Pierre Ranchhod of the ANC task team that reported to the regional ANC body concerning this issue, spoke up and said that the integrity of the community of Grahamstown has been compromised.
"When a meeting has been arranged and set for a certain time, we expect the undivided attention of that individual and the delegation. I am not trying to undermine the integrity of the delegation that's remained behind, but I definitely do feel insulted by the leader leaving this for another appointment."
He proposed that the meeting be postponed so the department can set an appropriate date with the correct individuals present as the Grahamstown public takes this issue seriously. He said they are all aware that the court will remain, but they are looking at the status of the High Court and they need people who are in power to address the issues.
"I can see the disillusion with the mayor; he is a leader and we are his follows and Grahamstown is adamant that the seat of the High Court has to remain here. An injury to one is an injury to all and if one job is lost, it will affect a lot of people," Ranchhod said.
Grahamstown High Court Action Committee member, Dr Sizwe Mabizela echoed the huge disappointment and his submission received a huge applause from the community. "Some of the things that Advocate Skosana said are very patronising if not outright insulting."
He said there are lawyers, advocates and attorneys present who have thoroughly studied the bill. "I wish this to go back loud and clear to the Ministry of Justice and Development. There is no confusion, if there is any confusion it is in Advocate Skosana's mind. I would agree that we adjourn the meeting but let’s continue with the meeting with an understanding that the departmental representatives will come back and engage the community in a meaningful and genuine manner."
He said if this is simply an issue of coordination, Grahamstown has done this for more than 140 years. "We demand that coordination be done here in Grahamstown." "We will do everything in our power to convey this message to the highest office of this land that we shall not and we cannot as citizens of this town be abused in the manner that Advocate Skosana has done this morning."
