Bidding farewell to magistrate

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In her term as presiding officer of the Mossel Bay Municipal Court, Magistrate Mandy Nkebana, has made an indelible impression, both on colleagues and the public.

Last week Mossel Bay executive mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal, Municipal Manager Thys Giliomee and municipal employees who worked closely with her had to bid Magistrate Nkebana a sad farewell as she was promoted and will soon relocate to the Eastern Cape.

Municipal Court Prosecutor Nanindi Slabbert said one word that comes to mind when thinking of Magistrate Nkebana, is the word "knowledge".

"What I know of the municipal court, you have taught me, and you did so with compassion and patience."

The head of municipal law enforcement, Henry Williamson, said Magistrate Nkebana had earned the respect of everyone who encountered her in court. "You made no differentiation, you were strict and your conduct made the work my officers do that much easier. You are the reason why people respect the municipal court."

Mayor Levendal wished Magistrate Nkebana well with the new challenges ahead.

Mossel Bay Municipality is one of the few municipalities with a municipal court. The Municipal Court has an important function in ensuring compliance with municipal by-laws, as well as national and provincial legislation.

Antoinette Snyders, Henry Williamson, Magistrate Mandy Nkebana, executive mayor Alderman Harry Levendal, municipal manager Adv Thys Giliomee, the acting senior magistrate, Ludwick Sass, and Provincial Traffic inspector Arthur Pekeur.

This is done by the successful prosecution for traffic-related offences received from the provincial and municipal traffic departments, municipal by-laws and other delegated prosecutorial cases as per the director of public prosecution under the general delegation issued to the prosecutor of the Municipal Court.

In the past financial year, 13 597 traffic-related cases were placed on the court roll which includes municipal and provincial traffic fines. A further 106 by-law related, National Building Regulations and Standards Act, Business Act and Fire Safety regulation-related cases were placed on the roll during this period.

Court personnel Jessica Brown, Nanindi Slabbert (municipal prosecutor), Berenice Kogana, Magistrate Mandy Nkebana, Clarina Davids, Anoesjka Pozyn and Matthews Ntshanyana.