DEPUTY judge president of the Western Cape High Court, Judge Jeanette Traverso, is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after she was run over by a golf cart on the golf course on Sunday.

"She had a very serious accident while playing golf. She is in a critical but stable condition," was all her family was willing to say.

The accident occurred in the Cape Town suburb of Ottery at the Royal Cape, the oldest golf club in the country, where she has been a member for years.

Tinus Slabber, chairman of the golf club, said another golfer driving a golf cart knocked her over. "A fellow member and medical specialist present on the course attended to her immediately and an ambulance was called," Slabber said.

At 65, Traverso is a keen golfer and has been for many years. A colleague, who asked not to be named, said she had given up running and had just recuperated following a double knee replacement.

According to a 2001 Cape Bar newsletter, Traverso had participated in the Comrades Marathon three times and has also won a medal.

Chairman of the Cape Bar, Advocate Alasdair Sholto-Douglas, said the news of her injury came as a shock.

"We are totally devastated to hear of the accident, and we wish her a speedy and full recovery. She's just had surgery, which she has recovered from fully. After getting to a point where she can play golf again, this happens. It is a terrible accident and we are very sorry for her," he said.

According to the Cape Bar, Traverso was the first woman in South Africa to take up the position of deputy judge president of a high court.

Traverso has presided over many high profile cases, including the controversial Parliamentary Travelgate saga, the matter involving German fugitive and multi-millionaire Jurgen Harksen, the medicine pricing regulations case and the Fidentia matter.

Judge President John Hlophe could not be reached for comment yesterday.