The urgent court case brought by little-known political party Agency for a New Agenda (ANA) to stop the Springboks from going to Rugby World Cup to be held in the UK next month has been postponed to 2pm at the High Court in Pretoria because its party leader arrived without legal representation.
Party president Tshidiso Mokhoanatse sought self-representation when he appeared in Court 6B‚ but was advised by Justice NM Mavundla‚ who appeared sympathetic to the transformation cause‚ to accept legal aid from the Bar Council.
“When you jump into a pond‚ you may know how to swim but where there are fish that bite‚ it might be wise to get a scuba diver‚” Justice Mavundla said.
“In that case‚ you might be sure that the issues you want to raise might be properly ventilated. You are getting into a terrain where – and I assume you’re not a practicing jurist if you’re a jurist – you are traversing an area that looks like a cool pond on the surface but the waters flow with a tremendous force underneath.
“Mr Mokhoanatse might not articulate what he wants to convey to the court.
“The matter is indeed of national interest and national importance and raises the issue of transformation‚ an aspect which this particular court is highly sensitive towards.”
ANA filed an urgent motion with the high court when the Springbok 31-man squad was announced last Friday‚ trying to get an interdict to prevent the team from boarding a plane to the UK this month on the grounds that the squad does not reflect the country’s demographics. One of the six Bar Council members‚ SC Botes‚ offered to take up the case.
Eight of the 31 selected players are black.
The World Cup begins on September 18‚ while the Springboks face Japan in their first pool stage game the following day.
Advocate Cristiaan Sevenster‚ representing the Department of Sports and Recreation‚ tried to get the matter deemed not urgent and dismissed but the judge insisted that ANA’s application should be heard‚ however ill prepared he was on the court date. – The Times
Source: RDM News Wire.
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