'I was done in criminal court the day an accused took out his gold tooth as payment,' says academic
Amusing anecdote highlights impact of court delays, expenses on the poor
29 April 2021 - 12:06
Tina Hokwana decided to join academia when a man accused of shoplifting offered to pay for her legal assistance with his gold tooth. File image.
Image: LAUREN MULLIGAN
An accused shoplifter’s offer to pay legal fees with his gold tooth prompted an enthusiastic lawyer to quit the profession.
Now a Nelson Mandela University law academic, Tina Hokwana recently recalled her experience.
“I knew I was done litigating in criminal court the day an accused took out his gold tooth as payment for my fees,” she posted on Twitter.