Boeremag trial drains taxpayer
2004-05-21 14:21
Pretoria - The taxpayer has forked out more than R500 000 thus far for legal costs in the treason trial of 22 alleged rightwingers accused of plotting to overthrow the government, the Legal Aid Board (LAB) said on Friday.
Total legal aid costs have reached R547 727, of which R385 893 has gone towards the fees of private lawyers representing some of the accused, it said in a statement.
The other R161 834 was used to defend applications against the LAB by trialists seeking increased fees for their legal representatives and the right to appoint their own lawyers through the board.
These figures did not include the LAB's overheads or the salaries of two LAB lawyers appearing on behalf of some of the accused, the statement said.
"The primary interest of the LAB is to protect and defend the Constitutional rights of all South Africans, including those of the accused," it said.
"We are satisfied that we have achieved a very high level of quality legal representation and met all the obligations of effectively and efficiently utilising taxpayers' money."
The 22 men, alleged members of the rightwing Boeremag organisation, are standing trial on charges of plotting a coup d'etat.
They face 42 charges ranging from murder and attempted murder to treason, terrorism, sabotage and arms and explosives violations.
Trial to go on for years
The trial was to have started last May, but only got underway in October after numerous delays caused by wrangling with the LAB and complaints of prison maltreatment by the accused.
The trial was expected to last for several more years, with only the second witness currently in the box.
In terms of the Constitution, a citizen had the right to a state-sponsored legal practitioner if substantial injustice would otherwise result. Factors taken into account included the financial means of the accused, the nature of the matter, and the duration of the trial.
In the Boeremag trial, 21 of the initial 23 accused applied for legal aid right from the start. Eight were granted such aid at that stage. Another 11, who initially paid for their own lawyers, were later also granted legal aid.
One application was currently being dealt with and one accused was still handling his own representation, the LAB said. One pleaded guilty at the start of the trial.
The board said it conducted nearly 265 000 legal aid matters during the 2002/3 financial year.
"In all our dealings with accused who qualify for legal aid, including the Boeremag, we have aimed to ensure that the quality of service provided is of the highest standard irrespective of who the accused are."
- SAPA