WHAT THE GUPTAS’ GERT VAN DER MERWE HAS TO SAY

Every citizen has a right to legal representation and it seems not everyone understands that, Van der Merwe tells YOU when we ask him about his links to the Guptas. “There are a few uninformed people. I don’t expect everybody to understand.”

He acknowledges he’s often asked why he’s representing the contentious family’s interests. “I don’t do it because I necessarily enjoy it,” he says. “I do it because I have a duty to do what I promised when I was admitted to the bar 18 years ago: to represent people as well as I can.”

He says he has no relationship with the family beyond the fee he earns when he renders his services. “It’s a small part of my daily work, I can tell you that. They’re not my major source of income by a long shot. I treat them as I would any other client.”

Van der Merwe is a man who loves a challenge, which is why he took on the Guptas. And he’s not one to back down when faced with controversy. “The cards were dealt; one needs to play them. I’m not a coward; I can’t run when the pressure is on.”

Yes, he understands that emotions run high. But in his eyes he’s just doing his job.

He can’t understand why all the fuss is being made about 2013’s R16 million tender scandal.

“There were newspaper articles about this years ago and nobody bothered really and now it’s suddenly a big thing.”

In his defence he made an affidavit with all the facts, he says.

“I’m not asking for anybody’s forgiveness and I’ve said that if they want to punish me they must. I’m not afraid. I’ve never been involved in any criminal activity willingly or intentionally. If I made mistakes, so be it, punish me. But show me a person who’s never made a mistake in his life.”

Van der Merwe doesn’t recall feeling in any danger because of his high-profile clients. He’s come across a derogatory tweet or two and some people have threatened to take their business elsewhere. But that’s as far as it goes. He’ll continue offering his expertise to the Guptas as long as he complies with the rules of his profession and his invoices are paid, he says.

“Murderers and fraudsters have attorneys. Why can’t my clients have an attorney?”