Litigation continued in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) on Monday to change the name of the Makhado municipality back to Louis Trichardt.
A full bench of five judges heard argument in the appeal by the Louis Trichardt Chairpersons’ Association against the minister of arts and culture and others.
The association, with 80 000 members, has claimed that less than 1% of municipal residents were consulted about the change.
Although there was a public meeting, it was poorly attended because it was held the day before the advertised date.
”There was consultation,” Sam Maritz, appearing for Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan and the Geographical Names Council, told the court.
Maritz argued on Monday that the minister and the council acted totally correctly with regard to transformation, where no consultation was required.
At issue is the considerations for transformation of geographical names differ from those for standardisation of geographical names.
In September 2005, the Pretoria High Court dismissed an application for a review of the name-change process.
It was submitted in the high court that there was no law requiring the minister, names council or municipal council to consult anyone about the changing of a town’s name.
The high court also turned down an application to declare certain sections of the South African Geographical Council Act unconstitutional.
This is also under appeal.
The SCA reserved judgement. — Sapa