Chairperson, I agree with the hon Smuts that this Bill is lost in transformation. This Bill is just another slew of laws generated by the ANC to transform the South African society into a reracialised one where government controls everything, whether directly or indirectly, at the cost of individual and communal liberty. Equality at all costs, even in freedom - that is the ANC's mantra - is in the end undermined.
Die wetsontwerp oor regspraktisyns is nog 'n poging van die ANC om die regsprofessie te transformeer tot ANC-beheer. Die wetsontwerp het dit ten doel om 'n enkele landswye regsliggaam tot stand te bring om die bestaande prokureursordes en balierade te vervang. Hierdeur word prokureurs en advokate se grondwetlike regte van vryheid, assosiasie en beroep, en die eiendomsregte van bestaande prokureursordes en balierade tot niet gemaak.
Die VF Plus sien dit as 'n kwalik verbloemde poging van die ANC om groter beheer te kry oor die regsberoep - net soos die regbank ook moet transformeer om die ANC gedienstig te wees.(Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The Legal Practice Bill is another attempt by the ANC to transform the legal profession into ANC control. The Bill aims to establish a single countrywide legal body in order to replace the existing law societies and bar councils. In this way the constitutional rights of the freedom, association and occupation of attorneys and advocates, and the property rights of existing law societies and bar councils, are abolished.
The FF Plus regards this as a thinly disguised effort by die ANC to obtain greater control over the legal profession - just as the bench also needs to transform in order to serve the ANC.]
The current system of law societies and bar councils were established over centuries and serve the interests of the public very well, despite high costs in higher courts. However, we do agree that costs are one of the major factors that inhibit access to courts. We also agree that it must be addressed, but not by attacking the legal profession as such. Instead government could have looked at some form of legal insurance structure to assist the public. Merely forcing legal professionals to charge less will only ensure that substandard services will be delivered. In short, you pay for the best professional service. Even government does, if one looks at the legal counsel it uses. The South African National Road Agency Ltd, Sanral, used Adv Jeremy Gauntlett for instance.
Indien die wetsontwerp deurgevoer word, sal dit uiteintlik negatief inwerk op die regsprofessie van Suid-Afrika en sal dit tot nadeel wees van al die mense in ons land. Dankie. [If the Bill is passed, it will eventually have a negative effect on the legal profession of South Africa and this will be to the detriment of all the people in our country. Thank you.]