Former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini could lose her house as the Black Sash, to which she owes thousands of rands in legal fees, has initiated a process to attach her property.
In 2018, the Constitutional Court ruled that Dlamini was personally liable for 20% of the legal costs incurred by the Black Sash and Freedom under Law after she lost a case brought by the two organisations over her failure to appoint a service provider for the distribution of social grants. Dlamini last week said she was unable to pay the money as her pension had been frozen.
However, Black Sash Trust national advocacy manager Hoodah Abrahams-Fayker said Dlamini’s excuse was not acceptable. “As a member of Cabinet she would have earned a salary of over R2 million per year with perks and many expenses covered. In light of this, the costs we are asking for should surely not be out of her reach.
