THE development of the High Court in Kokstad, Southern KwaZulu-Natal is no longer a dream but a reality. This is according to the Greater Kokstad Municipal Manager, Sipho Zwane who, just after the National Department of Public Works presented in the Council that the Department of Justice has approved the building of the High Court in Kokstad, confirmed that the Municipality is fully behind the project.

About R 480 Million has been set aside by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for the construction of the High Court.Following the green light, the Department of Public Works together with the Greater Kokstad Municipality will soon be starting the process of rezoning the land donated by the Municipality to the National Department of Public Works to suit the intended project.

National Department of Public Works Chief Planner, Lawrence Gaxela presented the approval of the government precinct in Kokstad, which will include the High Court, a Police Station and SASSA offices amongst other government services. Gaxela said they would soon be starting with the rezoning of the land and the Municipality has confirmed that the process will take up to three months.

Zwane said they are very proud that the process is starting to stand on its feet and it is no longer a plan or a dream but a reality.The Greater Kokstad Municipality Mayor, Lwanda Madikizela said this goes along with their plan of becoming a City of Economic Possibilities by 2047. “We are doing our best in turning Kokstad into a City as we are gradually transforming the town into a smart City by ensuring that it is dominated by free WiFi spots even in our townships,” said Madikizela.

He added that they are now zooming into plans of a Secondary City, which is in line with visioned expansion of the town.

Madikizela said the Kokstad High Court will result in cost savings as the people of Mthatha and other parts of the Eastern Cape will no longer travel long distances to the high court in Pietermaritzburg.

“Even the Department of Correctional Services will no longer run a risk of having to transport criminals to the Pietermaritzburg High Court and back to our eBhongweni C-Max Prison… criminals will be sentenced here and sent to jail here,” said Madikizela.

He was also delighted that the construction process will create jobs and skills transfer for Kokstad communities.