Naas sues son, 11, for R31000 legal fees

PRETORIA -- Rugby celebrity Naas Botha has served his son with a lawyer's letter demanding payment of more than R31000 for outstanding legal fees.

Anna Jooste, mother of 11-year-old Frans, told the Saturday Star she had received a hand-written letter delivered from Botha's lawyers demanding the money within seven days.

Last year Judge Kees van Dijkhorst ordered Frans, assisted by his mother, to pay Botha's legal fees after he had turned down a R450000 damages claim by the boy against his father.

The child claimed damages for emotional suffering caused by the former Springbok's lack of inte-rest and his refusal to love and nurture him.

The judge said last year that the law cannot create love and affection where there was none.

Botha was not immediately available for comment.

His attorney Johan Lubbe confirmed the letter, saying that Botha was only claiming R31000 even though his legal expenses were between R45000 and R50000 for an "unnecessary" court case.

He said Botha had suffered a financial loss and that it was normal procedure to attach someone's goods if the person did not pay up. -- Sapa