Selebi trial costs piling up for SA taxpayers

After only eleven days the total cost is already edging towards a staggering R1 million.

Former South African top cop Jackie Selebi continues to be a financial burden on the country's taxpayers. His corruption trial is expected to be a costly affair and the ongoing delays are making matters worse.

The trial was postponed this week after Selebi's lawyers asked Judge Meyer Joffe to recuse himself.

It has been a lengthy litigation process, playing itself out in the North Gauteng High Court, Randburg Magistrates Court and the South Gauteng High Court. Depending on the outcome it might go on appeal. Every time the former top cop appears in court, he requires legal representation and it does not come cheap. Selebi’s counsel, Jaap Cilliers is a seasoned advocate commanding huge fees and he is assisted by juniors who are paid two thirds of Cilliers’ cost.

The cost of a full time instructing attorney is estimated at about R10 000 per appearance. For the day the state coughs upwards of about R75 000 - this excludes other costs like reading and research. After only eleven days the total cost is already staggering - edging towards the R1 million mark.

In March this year the Freedom Front Plus (FFPlus) raised concerns about Selebi's legal costs after the state had already forked out R2.3million. But the current arrangement with the state having to foot the bill for public servants is being criticised. Legal observers believe it is not an ideal situation.

“It has been a matter of concern in a number of these high profile cases as to how it comes about that the state continues to pay for these cases in this manner. I think it is something that should be properly taken up with the authorities,” says legal analyst, David Unterhalter.

Meanwhile, Unterhalter believes that Selebi's request for Joffe to recuse himself is not justified: “If the judge does not recuse himself then the accused will appeal if the accused wishes to do so - that refusal of the recusal will lead to further delays in the proceedings and it may be that will happen in this case.” The trial was initially set down for 30 days, but an additional application will see it go on for much longer leaving the taxpaper to pick up the tab. The recusal application will be heard next Thursday.