SCA dismisses former sports bosS James Evans' application against WP Athletics

THE Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has struck from the roll an application for reconsideration brought by controversial former sports boss, James Thomas Evans.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

Evans averred that the Western Cape Province Athletics (WP Athletics) should be held in contempt of court for allegedly failing to hold disciplinary hearings against certain members of WP Athletics within 90 days, as required by a prior court order.

The order was served on WP Athletics on August 30, 2022 and the first inquiry was conducted within the 30-day time period. Evans on November 30, 2022, filed a filing sheet and supplementary affidavit supplementing his papers to apply, inter alia, for an order holding WP Athletics in contempt of court for failing to hold the further disciplinary hearings within the 90-day period.

However, the high court found that 90 days meant court days and that Evans' filing sheet and supplementary affidavit were “simply premature”.

SCA acting Justice Fathima Dawood reiterated that exceptional circumstances exist only where a case raises a “substantial legal issue, is of great public importance, or where refusing leave would cause a grave injustice”.

Attempts to get comment from WP Athletics and Evans were unsuccessful by deadline.