The Western Cape High Court yesterday rejected the attempt of Mbhazima Shilowa to avoid answering to the South Gauteng High Court interdict, presumably to avoid being confronted by the facts surrounding his disciplinary hearing and its conclusions.

A last ditch attempt to clinch control of COPE by approaching court on a side issue, once again seeking to bypass damning facts about the conduct of Shilowa and his cronies, also failed.

Judge Bozalek, dismissed these attempts as well. Furthermore, their attempt to persuade the judge to make a ruling that would remove or water down the authority of the Congress National Committee, with Mosiuoa Lekota as President, in terms of dealing with the Independent Electoral Commission was also rejected.

The opportunistic and embarrassing legal tricks of Shilowa and his allies continue to demonstrate the depths of desperation these few individuals have sunken to in their attempts to seize control, by whatever means, of the party's leadership and resources, or obstruct progress in any way possible.

Despite their repeated misguided and ill-informed recourse to the High Courts, their supposed victory in December has transformed Heartfelt into Heartache and Shilowa and coterie are fast running out of options.

The organisation remains undeterred by these opportunistic attempts and is ready and focused for the upcoming Local Government Elections.

Statement issued by Phillip Dexter, COPE (L) national spokesperson, March 25 2011

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