Big freeze between Shilowa, Lekota

2010-07-27 11:37

Cape Town - Cope leaders Mbhazima Shilowa and Mosiuoa Lekota did not exchange a greeting or a glance in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday as their lawyers tried desperately to persuade them to reach an amicable agreement on their political differences.

The proceedings, which were watched by a rowdy public gallery, got under way with Judge Essa Moosa asking whether Lekota and Shilowa had managed to resolve their differences about whether the latter could take up the leadership of the party in Parliament.

"Despite our best efforts we have been bedevilled by leaks to the media by both sides," Shilowa's lawyer Norman Arendse told the court.

"You cannot negotiate any matter in the media. We have tried our best to solve the underlying political issues, but it appears we have failed.
"
Shilowa has applied to have a July 2 decision by Cope's congress national committee, which replaced Mvume Dandala with Lekota as the party's political leader in Parliament, declared null and void.

Shilowa also wants a decision to remove him as Cope's chief whip declared unlawful.

"It may be in the best interests of the party if the leadership tried to settle their differences," Moosa said, adding that "any outcome from the court may only partially resolve the situation.

"The leadership should rise to the occasion and see if it can bury the differences and work in the interest of the party as a whole."

Lekota's lawyer Amish Kika said the parties had held extensive debates.

"Despite our best efforts we have been unable to find any common ground," he said.

At Moosa's urging the two lawyers agreed to sit down with Lekota and Shilowa once more to try and work out a solution.

The proceedings would continue later on Tuesday morning once the two parties had held their discussion.

A small crowd of Lekota supporters danced, sang and waved placards outside the court.

- SAPA