Mistakes made 14 years ago are haunting a now former advocate, who was one of several members of the legal fraternity disciplined for misconduct by overcharging the RAF by millions, reports The Mercury.

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) 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 SCA bid to remain in the profession also failed.

It is claimed that Bezuidenhout had overcharged the RAF more than R5.9m from February to November 2009.

Judge Jan Swanepoel, who wrote the judgment on Bezuidenhout's application to be readmitted as an advocate, remarked that it is highly likely that he received significant amounts in the period between November 2009 and June 2011.

Twelve of the advocates had pleaded guilty before a disciplinary committee of the Pretoria Bar's Ethics Committee 14 years ago to ‘technically’ breaching the Bar's rules by double-briefing and overreaching (double-billing) in RAF matters.

Bezuidenhout, however, maintained his innocence.

Full report in The Mercury