KZN’S second high court seat to turn Richards Bay into economic powerhouse
Court will bring justice closer to the region’s people
Kwazulu-natal could soon have a second local seat of the provincial division of the high court after Durban.
This is if Justice and correctional services Minister Ronald Lamola sets in motion the recommendations by the rationalisation committee chaired by the retired deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke.
At the heart of the establishment of the committee was to develop transformative solutions and address systematic barriers that impede access to justice for citizens.
Presently, KZN has one main seat in the division of the high court, located in Pietermaritzburg, while Durban serves as the local seat.
“The main seat of the Kwazulu-natal division of the high court remains in Pietermaritzburg. It will exercise jurisdiction over the magisterials of Amajuba, Harry Gwala, umgungundlovu and uthukela.
“The Kwazulu-natal local division of the high court, Durban, will exercise jurisdiction over the ethekwini metropolitan municipality and the magisterial districts of ilembe and Ugu,” read the final report.
The committee recommended a second local seat of the KZN division of the high court to be set up in Richards Bay, on the north coast of the province. The new court will exercise jurisdiction over the magisterial districts of King Cetshwayo, umkhanyakude, umzinyathi, and Zululand.
Mjabuliseni Isaac Madondo, the acting judge president of the Kwazulu-natal High Court, supported the committee’s position by recommending that the second local seat be located in Ulundi, northern KZN or Richards Bay.
Madondo cited the long distances travelled by residents of the far-flung rural areas of umhlabuyalingana and Uphongolo to access courts as motivation to bringing a super court closer to them. The report is now on Lamola’s desk for his consideration.
Along with Moseneke were Judge Jeannette Traverso, a former deputy judge president of the high court’s Western Cape division; Silas Ramaite SC, a retired deputy national director of public prosecutions; and Renuka Subban, a retired chief magistrate of the Verulam magistrate court in KZN.
Xolani Ngwezi, the mayor of the city of umhlathuze, covering Richards Bay, the rural town of empangeni, and surrounding areas, told Sunday World that the establishment of a second local division holds promising economic implications for the city.
“This development not only enhances accessibility to justice for our residents but also stimulates economic growth. Richards Bay, as a burgeoning economic hub, stands to benefit from increased legal activity, attracting legal professionals, providing support services, and fostering a conducive environment for legal businesses.
“The heightened legal presence is anticipated to contribute positively to the local economy through job creation, increased commercial activities and the potentially positioning Richards Bay as a legal services destination in the region,” said Ngwezi.
On the other hand, residents of Makhanda, are up in arms over the committee’s proposal that the main seat of the Eastern Cape division of the high court, be relocated to Bhisho.
Rhodes University vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela believes relocating the seat of the court wasn’t necessary, saying it will cost close to R1-billion and lead to massive job losses.