Ruling awaited in R167m apartheid damages case

THE court has reserved judgment in the case of former president Thabo Mbeki and former Justice minister Brigitte Mabandla, who yesterday applied to intervene in the R167 million in constitutional damages litigation by families of victims of apartheid-era atrocities, arguing that it is in the interests of justice that they be allowed to do so.

- ZELDA VENTER

The pair turned to the Gauteng High Court during which their counsel, Advocate Ngwako Maenetje SC, argued that it does not matter whether the damages case by the victims and families is not aimed at them.

The outcome will still have an impact on them.

Maenetje told Judge Anthony Millar that the court, which ultimately has to decide on the damages issue, will have to make factual findings, which could negatively impact the reputations of Mbeki and Mabandla.