By Staff Reporter
The DA in the Eastern Cape says it reaffirms its commitment to working with colleagues in the National Assembly and the broader community to stop the proposed relocation of the seat of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court from Makhanda to Bhisho, the party said in a statement on Friday.
According to Dr Vicky Knoetze, the party’s leader in the Eastern Cape Legislature, on Thursday last week, the Provincial Legislature debated a DA motion that focused on the “disastrous” impact of the proposed relocation.
“During the debate, I emphasised that relocating the seat of the court would be a death sentence for Makhanda,” Knoetze said in the statement.
Estimates show that more than 5 000 direct jobs would be lost, and an additional 25 000 dependents would lose their income if the move proceeds, Knoetze stated.
The recommendation to relocate the seat of the court was made in the Moseneke Report.
However, the recommendation does not make the decision final.
The seat of the High Court is designated by an Act of Parliament, and the current Act has awarded this seat to Makhanda.
Knoetze said although opposition parties in the Eastern Cape Legislature were united in their opposition to the proposed move, ANC speakers, including acting premier, Mlungisi Mvoko, who was the last speaker in the debate, refused to acknowledge that relocating the seat of the court would spell disaster for Makhanda.
“This shows that the ANC is oblivious to the needs of the people.”
“While the ANC committed to further public participation, it was clear from the debate that they support the move and will continue to do so. The fact that the legal fraternity, business sector, and civil society are all opposed to this move is widely known, yet the ANC remains determined to forge ahead.”
Knoetze further said the Makhanda High Court Action Committee has been fighting the proposed relocation in court, and “we stand in full support of their battle. We want to thank them and the broader community for their efforts.”
“Makhanda, nicknamed the City of Saints and located in the Makana Municipality, cannot afford to lose a single employer. In fact, the entire Eastern Cape cannot afford to lose any employers.
“The municipality is already on the brink of collapse, and its local economy is in severe decline. If Makhanda’s economy collapses, it will have a ripple effect across the province, which already has the highest unemployment rate in the country.
“If Makhanda ultimately collapses because of the relocation being approved, the ANC will not be able to wash their hands of the guilt – they will be complicit.”
Knoetze said the DA will continue to fight for the people of the City of Saints and the Eastern Cape.
“We will not stand idly by and watch as the ANC continues their economic destruction of the province.”
Attempts to get comment from ANC provincial spokesperson, Gift Ngqondi, were unsuccessful.
