The Pretoria High Court refused an application by an axed advocate, who had overcharged the Road Accident Fund by several millions, to be re-admitted to the legal profession.
Mistakes made 14 years ago are still haunting a now former advocate, who was one of several members of the legal fraternity disciplined for misconduct by overcharging the Road Accident Fund (RAF) by millions.
Some were suspended, while others had to pay a fine, but former advocate French Bezuidenhout, who had been practising for 25 years, was axed by the court.
He returned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, earlier this month to be re-admitted to the legal profession. Two judges, in turning down his application, believed that he had failed to demonstrate genuine remorse or fully appreciate the gravity of his misconduct.
For the first time in the history of the Pretoria Bar, 13 of its members had to fight for their careers in the High Court in 2012. While 12 were able to eventually save their legal careers, Bezuidenhout was removed from the roll due to the gravity of his actions. His subsequent Supreme Court of Appeal bid to remain in the profession also failed.
