NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 133
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 FEBRUARY 2013
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 1)
Mr S B Farrow (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) How many legal matters were dealt with by his department (a) in the
(i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12 financial years and (b)
during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date for
which information is available;
(2) (a) how many of the specified legal matters were dealt with by (i)
the State Attorney and (ii) private attorneys during the specified
periods and (b) what are the reasons why his department was not
represented by the State Attorney in each specified case;
(3) what total amounts were paid by his department to (a) the State
Attorney and (b) private attorneys during the specified periods?
NW139E
REPLY:
1) (a) (i) 2009-10: 21 legal matters;
(ii) 2010-11: 29 legal matters;
(iii) 2011-12: 18 legal matters;
(b) 1 April 2012 to date: 26 legal matters
2) (a) Matters dealt with by the State Attorney
i) 2009-10: All 21 legal matters were handled by the State
Attorney;
2010-11: All 29 legal matters were handled by the State
Attorney;
2011-12: 17 legal matters were handled by the State
Attorney;
1 April 2012 to date: All 26 legal matters were handled by
the State Attorney.
Matters handled by private attorneys
ii) 2009-10: None;
2010-11: None;
2011-12: 1 legal matter
1 April 2012 to date: None.
(b) The reasons why the Department was not represented by the State
Attorney is that this is a labour matter relating to the
dismissal of the Special Advisor to the late Deputy Minister of
Health who allegedly absconded amidst his proposed placement.
The attorney handling this matter had been advising the Minister
on labour issue relating mainly to the reviewing of the
management of public hospitals, at the time when this matter was
served upon the Minister. This matter being against the
Minister, it was logical that the attorney advising the Minister
on labour matters should handle it.
3) (a) Amounts paid to the State Attorney:
i) 2009-10: R1,260,733.05;
ii) 2010-11: R616,485.29;
iii) 2011-12: R35,017,437.96
iv) 1 April 2012 to date: R1,171,182.37
(b) Amounts paid to the Private Attorney
i) 2009-10: None;
ii) 2010-11: None;
iii) 2011-12: R72,451.00;
iv) 1 April to date: None.
END.