Makhanda’s legal, religious, education and business communities, together with civil society organisations, have once again united to oppose a proposal to move the seat of the High Court from the city to the provincial capital, Bhisho.

A Daily Dispatch report says the newly resuscitated High Court Action Committee says the proposed move will cost Makhanda hundreds of jobs and devastate the already fragile local economy.

Last week, government’s committee headed by retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, recommended the move and gave interested parties until January to comment.

It has also proposed drastically reducing the Makhanda High Court’s geographical jurisdiction.

Makhanda attorney Brin Brody, speaking on behalf of the action committee, said it had been decided to resuscitate the body, with Rhodes University vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela and Makhanda Anglican Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali chairing it.

If the seat of the court moved to Bhisho it is likely that the provincial office of the DPP as well as the Masters’ office would move. Dozens of attorneys’ firms and advocates would move to where the work was.

Brody said the Bhisho Court would need a significant upgrade to accommodate its proposed increased jurisdiction, something likely to cost about R600 to R700m.

He said there were also precedents going against the recommendation.

‘The Constitutional Court is in Johannesburg and not Pretoria. The Labour Court seat is in Johannesburg rather than Pretoria. The SCA is in Bloemfontein and not Pretoria. It is good for the separation of powers for the courts not to have their seat in the capital.’

Full Daily Dispatch report