by Last year, Legal Aid SA announced that they had assisted over 800 000 people with their legal aid services in the 2014/2015 financial year.
“Our core purpose is to fulfill our constitutional mandate and, in doing so, have a meaningful impact on the lives of poor and vulnerable persons and ultimately on society. I am satisfied that we have used our resources efficiently and effectively to achieve this,” Legal Aid SA CEO Vidhu Vedalankar said in a statement.
“We are also pleased that we managed to deliver our programmes within our budget.”
The organisation spent 98.1% of its R1.638 billion budget allocated for the past year according to Vedelankar.
So, Just How Many People Has Legal Aid SA Assisted?
According to the organisation, they have assisted almost four million people in the last five years.
In light of a tough economic climate, Legal Aid SA said they recorded high performance within a good governance framework. Ensuring the poor and vulnerable in South African continue to receive access to justice.
Legal Aid SA Stats For 2014/2015
- 769 436 provided with criminal and civil legal aid services.
- 88% for criminal matters.
- 12% for civil legal matters.
What Are The Criminal Matters?
- Abduction
- Arson
- Bigamy
- Fraud
- Incest
- Housebreaking
- Indecent assault
- Public Violence
- Murder
- Rape
- Robbery
- Sedition
- Treason
- Administration of justice
- Animal and nature conservation
- Children
- Corruption
- Counterfeiting currency
- Dealing in unwrought precious metals and uncut gemstones
- Escaping from custody and/or obstructing the police
- Vehicle theft
- Witchcraft
- And any attempt to commit the above.
- Administering poison or other noxious substances
- Assault (including common assault)
- Bribery
- Compounding
- Defeating and/or obstructing the ends of justice
- Extortion
- Forgery and/or uttering
- Kidnapping
- Malicious injury to property
- Receiving stolen property
- Theft (including shoplifting)
- Trespass
- Unnatural sexual offences (including bestiality)
- Persons with mental disabilities
- Any attempt to commit any of these listed statutory offences
Legal Aid SA Success
During the year under review, the organisation dealt with a total of 30 criminal appeals in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein and achieved successful outcomes for 23 clients, about 77% in these appeals.
The Impact Litigation Unit of Legal Aid SA handled 52 impact matters and recorded a success rate of 89%. With eight of the nine matters finalised in the year under review.
“The nature of the impact matters ensure that, despite the low volumes, the outcomes impact is more broadl than just the specific clients assisted. These matters ensure that clients’ constitutional rights are enforced or protected and legal precedents, impacting widely on our clients’ rights, have been achieved.”
Legal Aid SA has continued to work within a framework of rigorous financial management and good governance, resulting in its 14th unqualified audit.
“We are very proud of an award from the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa commending the organisation’s clean audit status,” said Vedalankar.
