MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - The Makhado Municipality issued a statement on Wednesday with regard to the controversial name change case which served in front of the Pretoria High Court last week.

“Our view is that the town belongs to all inhabitants of the Makhado Municipality, irrespective of race, colour, gender, creed or geographical location. It is our considered view that this town is what it is today because of the efforts, sacrifice and contribution of all inhabitants of the municipality, including those who reside in the villages. Against this background, it is our considered opinion that all residents of this municipality must be given an opportunity to participate in the development and transformation of their town e.g. the renaming process,” the statement reads.

With regard to the court case, the municipality states: “Our municipality will prefer not to comment on the merit or demerit of the case at hand, because the Acting Judge M K Legodi has reserved his judgement on the matter. In fact, it is the competency of the judiciary to make a decision on the merit or demerit of the case. For now, we are not sure whether there have been shortcomings in the procedure followed or in the substance itself. We will, as soon as judgement is passed, issue a public statement in as far as the way forward is concerned. We will firstly study the full judgement by the Acting Judge before making an official statement.”

In conclusion, the municipality says: “... we will inform our communities of the way forward which will, of course, be guided by the decision of the Honourable Acting Judge as soon as the latter has pronounced judgement. As the institution of government or state organ, this municipality will abide by the decision of the court. In the meantime, we call upon all the law-abiding citizens to be calm and patient until the judgement has been made.”