Court orders psychiatric evaluation for serial litigant

THE Western Cape High Court has ordered a persistent litigant to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at George Hospital following his latest application for the recusal of the judge who deemed him vexatious.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

Thabang Motjamela was ordered to undergo the evaluation within 10 days of the court order, which was issued by High Court Judge Daniel Thulare on Monday.

Judge Thulare said the order was made because it appeared to the court that the applicant, due to mental illness or intellectual disability, is not capable of understanding the proceedings to make a proper case.

The court directed that the matter be enquired into and be reported on by the head of George Hospital or by another psychiatrist delegated by the head concerned.

Motjamela, after being declared vexatious by the High Court last month, brought an application for leave to appeal against that judgment and the application for recusal.

Judge Thulare temporarily suspended both applications pending the report from the hospital.