A case of mistaken identity is starting to get to Pretoria attorney Gert van der Merwe.
HEAR the name Gert van der Merwe and one person is likely to come to mind: the Guptas’ lawyer.
The guy who’s quoted in the media every now and then defending the country’s most controversial family. The guy who initially dismissed the tranche of leaked emails detailing the family’s capture of the state as fake news. And the guy linked to a R16 million tender and money-laundering scandal involving former Limpopo health MEC Miriam Segabutla in 2013.
There’s a lot going on in Gert van der Merwe’s life right now – so spare a thought for the man sitting across the desk from us. His name: Gert van der Merwe. His profession: attorney at law. His main occupation right now: telling people he isn’t the guy working for the Guptas.
The 36-year-old digs his iPhone out of his pocket and scrolls down to a text message he received just that morning.
“This client said to me, ‘Gert, are you the guy with the Guptas?’”
It all started about three years ago, says Gert, a former Lions rugby player who specialises in sport law and has an office a stone’s throw from Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. He represented former Blue Bulls player Bees Roux in 2011 when he was charged with culpable homicide and drunk driving after a police officer was killed and has dealt with some the team’s cases.
Denne historien er fra June 29, 2017-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 29, 2017-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William
