The Constitutional Court has ordered former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini to pay 20 percent of the Black Sash’s legal costs from her own pocket.
Justice Johan Froneman told the National Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate whether Dlamini should be charged with perjury.
Froneman says Dlamini misled the court to protect herself, and she must account for her part in the social grants crisis if it’s to be prevented from happening again.
Black Sash was ordered to foot 80 percent of its own legal costs.
https://twitter.com/Slindelo_M/status/1045246892907671552
Justice Froneman: #BathabileDlamini misled this court to protect herself, and she must account her for her part in the social grants saga, if it's to be prevented from happening again.
— Michelle Craig (@MichelleL_Craig) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/Slindelo_M/status/1045247722037612544
In March last year, the court ordered Dlamini to explain why she shouldn’t be held personally liable for legal costs.
In 2014, the Constitutional Court ruled the contract between social grants agency, Sassa, and distributor, Cash Paymaster Services, was illegal.
The court gave Sassa until the end of March to find a new provider.
That was extended for another six months.
* More details to follow
Source: eNCA