The Congress of the People’s Mbhazima Shilowa on Tuesday said he believes his legal battle with Mosiuoa Lekota could have been avoided.

Shilowa is now trying to prevent Lekota from being sworn in as a member of Parliament.

The legal battle resumes in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.

Shilowa said the ongoing leadership battle could have been resolved had Lekota agreed the meeting held earlier this month was unconstitutional.

He wants the 2uly gathering of the party’s Congress National Committee declared null and void. He also wants to be reinstated as Cope’s chief whip.

Shilowa said the legal wrangle is a waste of time.

“All you need to do is go to a properly convened CNC meeting, let the meeting take a decision and we will abide,” said Shilowa. But Lekota said Shilowa is the one who brought the matter to court in the first place.

“We tried to find each other and it was clear they were not serious,” said Lekota.

It is not clear when or if the rivals will be able to bury the hatchet.