Taxpayers foot heavy bill to defend soldiers
Publish date: 31 January 2007
Issue Number: 1755
Diary: Legalbrief Today
Category: Tenders
Hundreds of SA soldiers have been accused of killing, torturing and assaulting those they are supposed to protect and taxpayers are footing the bill for their legal defences, says a report in The Mercury.
SANDF members are accused of 287 serious criminal cases, recorded incidents of murder, shooting, assault and torture, with taxpayers sponsoring the legal defence of the majority of the soldiers. The Mercury adds that its investigation has also revealed that the most recent list of recorded criminal cases against army members includes 26 charges of murder, 22 of attempted murder, 15 of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, 25 of common assault and 31 of reckless and negligent driving. The offences allegedly committed by SANDF members could also cost the tax payer almost R1bn in civil claims. According to the Department of Defences 2006 financial statements, the army is facing civil claims of R978m, with motor accident claims amounting to an additional R3.7m. Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)
