High Court: Deputy Mayor Esme Edge versus me
Helen Zille and Esme Edge
I’d much rather have won on argument but will accept whatever wins come mine and Knysna’s way…
The first High Court battle, initiated by Knysna’s Deputy Mayor Esme Edge to stop me from telling the truth, was far more nonsense than battle because Advocate Julie Seton, the mayor’s representative and partner (as in girlfriend, not business), FAILED TO APPEAR on her behalf. Edge was being instructed by Carl Jeppe Attorney’s who was also nowhere to be seen.
THEY DIDN’T EVEN BOTHER TO TELL US THAT THEY WOULDN’T BE APPEARING IN CAPE TOWN YESTERDAY MORNING.
Let me remind you that the Chief Magistrate of Knysna refused to accept Councillor Edge’s and Councillor Dawson’s charges so they got dirty and took me to High Court (Jeppe and Seton represent Dawson too). Were they trying to intimidate me, squash me financially? Probably both. They messed with the legal system to do so.
Thankfully, a lawyer and an advocate who had never met me believed that the Constitution was being trampled and accepted my case pro amico i.e. pay when we win, a major kindness considering the fortune that the Cape High Court costs. Well, we never got the battle, and a lot of work went ‘down the drain’, but my legal team gets to claim costs now, a dent on Edge’s R45 000p/m salary so that will be a victory too.
Plus the temporary interdict that i agreed to (so that there was one High Court case instead of two) has now expired so I can speak freely about Edge. Of course, Edge could lay charges again but their behaviour here will not look good on her. And I will take whatever they throw at me until i get to the bottom of this ugly mess they’ve gotten Knysna into.
I don’t know yet if Dawson intends proceeding but these cases wouldn’t have stopped me anyway i.e. there are more ways to fight for justice than blogging. I have reported both politicians, plus their accomplices, for illegally funding Knysna Tourism’s debt with public (OUR) money.
I have, separately, given Helen Zille and the Speaker for Knysna, Eleonor Spies, an ultimatum to launch an investigation into these and other matters. If they fail to do so, if they fail to obey the law and procedure, I’m laying more charges. I don’t want to because it will cost Knysna but it is up to them to want to save the taxpayer money by doing the right thing.
Update – March 23 2015: Unfortunately, I’m once again under the sub judice rule (cannot speak about the case) regarding Deputy Mayor Esme Edge’s High Court actions against me. Our legal teams have agreed for the case to re-enrolled for May 26 2015. Costs for what has occurred will be fought for later.
This is a serious abuse of the court process. I hope the judge considers the flurry of frivolous litigation instituted by these two lawyers when considering an appropriate cost order. I believe a personal costs order will not only be appropriate in the circumstances, but will also lessen the burden on the tax payer, who will ultimately be saddled therewith by the politicians.
Yes, intimidation through abuse of law. Cost order must be personal. Taxpayer must never pay for political machinations.PS: My apologies for slow approval of your comment. It unfortunately got listed as spam which i hadn’t checked in a while.
Great victory! However who,is going to pay the fine?
Edge,partner, Knysna rate payers?
How do we keep check?
More an outlast until default 🙂 Ask the Speaker if Carl Jeppe Attorneys and Advocate Julie Seton are earning any money from Knysna Municipality- eleanorbouw@gmail.com.