A fresh attempt by a group of environmentalists to prevent the construction of one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia, was unsuccessful.
The Cape Town Environmental Protection Association's (CEPA) intention to start further legal proceedings to stop the demolition of the existing arena has failed, as the demolition has already occurred.
According to the City of Cape Town, CEPA's attempt to apply for an interdict to prevent the demolition of the existing Green Point stadium was eventually not pursued.
"CEPA's legal team conceded that the demolition of the old structure (stadium) had been completed, an interdict to stop it could therefore not be granted," the city said in a statement.
Legal teams of both the city and the FIFA 2010 World Cup Organising Committee argued that CEPA should pay the costs of the first and second applications for an interdict.
Judgement was reserved in this regard.
Initially the CEPA made an application to review approvals given by the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town for the construction of the new stadium.
This, the city said was still pending as the case has not been heard.
The City of Cape Town explained that the demolition of the stadium was not legally linked to the construction of the new stadium.
"The council gave two separate approvals and these approvals have not been challenged," it added.
The 68 000-seater multi-purpose stadium is earmarked to host the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.