Legal aid available for all citizens of SA

ANYONE can now access legal services in both civil and criminal matters at no cost, thanks to Legal Aid South Africa.

According to Legal Aid representative in Polokwane, Raymond Nenjelele, their priority was to ensure access to justice to many citizens who could not afford legal costs, by providing quality legal representation and legal advice through the 128 justice centres and satellites across the country.

Nenjelele said it was their responsibility to protect people’s right of being considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. He said the constitution guaranteed anyone accused of a crime the right to a fair trial and this could be achieved through Legal Aid.

“Legal Aid places emphasis on providing legal advice, protecting and defending the rights of every person, including women and children,” he explained.

Nenjelele said in order to qualify for assistance by Legal Aid, one had to meet certain prerequisites. The main factor was the applicant’s income, he said. “Those prioritised to receive legal aid are people who get a state grant, as well as the elderly. Also important are vulnerable children, women and people with disabilities, and any person arrested for a serious crime where possible jail time would be more than three months and that person cannot afford a lawyer,” he continued.

“Legal aid also accommodates people who are applying for shelter,” he added.

Nenjelele said the challenges Legal Aid faced included having a limited budget, which prevented them from providing services to many more people.

For more information on Legal Aid, call 0800 110 110.