A Grahamstown-based organisation is challenging the name change of the town to Makhanda.
Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown (KGG) said the recent notice published by arts & culture minister Nathi Mthethwa in the Government Gazette was defective.
This was because it contained no reference to the fact that people had one month after the date of publication to object to the name change.
The organisation’s spokesperson, advocate Jock McConnachie said notices issued in respect of other recent name changes like those of Queenstown to Komani, and Elliot to Khowa, were also defective for the same reason.
As in the case of Grahamstown, they did not follow a proper public consultation process in accordance with what has been laid down by the Supreme Court of Appeal.
McConnachie said the notice had also not provided any address for objections.
“By law, the minister is required to consider all objections before making a final decision and must also provide reasons for accepting or rejecting the objections.”
The organisation had received more than 200 objections to the name change and “more are being received by the hour”.
– Daily Dispatch