The Chairpersons Association strongly urged all people not to implement any name changes from Louis Trichardt to Makhado. In the meantime, the Makhado Municipality urgently called upon all departments and the private sector to continue to use the name Makhado.

“This municipality will continue and proceed with all steps to put the name Makhado in all official systems,” stated Mr Peter Magwala, Acting Municipal Manager.

The CA last week requested all people and businesses within the borders of the Makhado Municipality and Vhembe Municipality to wait until the decision of the Appellate Division of the High Court is known before implementing any name changes. This is done “in order that all the parties involved retain their dignity and save enormous expenditure, should the decision be in favour of the CA,” reads the statement of the CA.

The CA further requested Dr Pallo Jordan, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, to advise the relevant authorities to desist from carrying out the proposed changes. The same request was forwarded to the Director-General: Justice and Constitutional Development. These two offices acknowledged receipt on October 6 and 10 respectively. Copies were also forwarded to the state attorney, Vhembe Municipality and the Makhado Municipality.

The CA’s chairperson, Mr André Naudé, said this week that the implementing phase of the name change should be put on hold pending the decision of the Appeal Court. Also this week, the Makhado Municipality issued an official statement to express their disappointment about reading the statement issued by the CA in the Zoutpansberger of October 14.

“The statement to request all people and authorities to desist from implementing the new name change is unprogressive and uncalled for,” reads the media release.

The municipality says that it is common cause that a government gazette proclamation cannot be repealed or withdrawn by a mere letter or notice in the newspaper. The mere fact that an appeal has been lodged with the Appellate Division of the High Court does not mean that the name Makhado must not be utilized.

“We are labouring under the impression that the CA and its members are aware that Government Gazette No 24924 dated June 6, 2003 has not yet been withdrawn by any notice in the government gazette or any decision by a court of law in this country. Furthermore, the judgment which was delivered by Judge Legodi did not at all urge the Municipality not to implement … the name change. This Municipality has for a long time laboured under the impression that our learned friends in the CA are well conversant with the procedures and processes of repealing, withdrawing or setting aside any government gazette,” writes Mr Magwala.

The statement further reads that the CA’s statement “does not show that members of CA have respect for the judiciary procedures and decisions of the court of law”.

“We also want to call on our friends in the CA to refrain from misleading and confusing the people of this Municipality in particular and the people of this province at large,” stated Mr Magwala.

The municipality called upon all government departments, state institutions and the private sector to continue to use the name Makhado until the Appellate Division of the High Court has ruled otherwise.

When asked about the business sector and their expenditure concerning the name change, Mr Magwala said that it is a sensitive matter and that an animal can be taken to the water but cannot be forced to drink.