The employment of no fewer than 12 advocates for Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi in one of the first NHI court challenges has stunned some role-players, Netwerk24 reports.

Judge Leonard Twala, of the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria), delivered judgment on separate questions of law on Tuesday.

The questions raised by the respondents were whether President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to proclaim the NHI Act is reviewable and whether the respondents are obliged to provide a record in terms of rule 53.

Twala ruled in favour of the applicants, (the Board of Healthcare Funders and the SA Private Practitioners’ Forum).

Ramaphosa is required to provide the record within 10 days. However, it was Twala’s recordal of appearances at the end of the judgment that raised eyebrows.

The applicants and Ramaphosa were all represented by only one senior counsel with two juniors, while Motsoaledi employed four senior counsel and eight juniors.

Neil Kirby of Werksmans, who acts on behalf of the applicant, said the number of counsel were raised by the court during the hearing.

He said the Minister justified it by saying it is necessary due to the anticipated extent of legal challenges to the NHI.

‘But I have never seen such a large group of advocates retained for a specific litigant.’

The counsel are also briefed by Kgosana Attorneys as opposed to the State Attorney who represents Ramaphosa.

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