The clash over Nkosana Makate’s payout from cellphone giant Vodacom has taken yet another nasty turn, says a Mail & Guardian Online report. This time, a senior advocate has landed up being the subject of a High Court application. Makate’s funders are questioning his experience as an arbitrator to preside over such a big money case. Michael Mabena SC was appointed by the chairperson of the Pretoria Bar Council to oversee a dispute between Makate and funders of his case against Vodacom.

The arbitration proceedings started months before Makate’s victory at the Constitutional Court in April. The parties are embroiled in an on-going dispute over whether Makate had validly cancelled his funding agreement involving the Sterling Rand, a nominated company, Raining Men Trade and businessman Chris Schoeman.

In the first blow since Makate won his case against Vodacom in April, his funders took him to court last month claiming he was in on a plot by various lawyers to oust them from the deal. Now Schoeman has launched a second High Court bid. This time he wants the court to set aside Mabena’s appointment, citing a lack of experience and the complexity of the case. Norman Davis SC, chairperson of the Pretoria Bar Council, also cited as a respondent in the case, said because no relief was being sought against the Bar, it would not oppose Schoeman’s application.

This decision may be reviewed if new information came to light.

Full Mail & Guardian Online report