The 10 child victims of an horrific Cape Town taxi accident have been dead for less than three weeks but a community leader and their families' lawyer are already involved in an ugly dispute.

Advocate Yvette Isaacs, representing the families of the children killed when their taxi was smashed by a train, has been accused of hogging the limelight and seeking fame on the back of suffering.

Community leader Melvern de Bruyn, of the Greater Blue Downs Disaster Committee, said Isaacs' "prancing" around outside court in front of television cameras was "inappropriate".

Isaacs claimed De Bruyn was the one looking for fame.

"He accuses me of wanting to be a celebrity lawyer, but he is the one running to the papers," she said.

Last month, taxi driver Jacob Humphreys allegedly jumped the boom at a level crossing in Blackheath, near Cape Town, and his vehicle smashed into an oncoming train. Only four children survived.

Humphreys is facing 10 charges of culpable homicide and was released on bail on Tuesday.

De Bruyn has been involved in supporting the families and dealing with the heavy contingent of reporters that has descended on the community since the accident.

The training facilitator has been working with residents for more than 20 years and helped set up a trust fund for Liesl Augis, who survived being raped, stabbed, bludgeoned with a brick and thrown into a fire at the age of six in 2006. She died in the accident.

De Bruyn's irritation with Isaacs peaked on Tuesday when he met her and the families before the bail hearing in the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court.

"The arrogance she displayed to myself and Pastor George Mentoor, who has been supporting the families, was shocking. She said community committees such as ours had way too much politics," he said.

He said that though the families needed a lawyer to help them understand complicated court proceedings, they needed psychological help more.

"The families haven't received adequate trauma counselling yet. We are trying to get help for them. These people have to be prepared mentally for the criminal trial and the civil claim that will be instituted afterwards," he said.

"We don't need TV lawyers looking to gain fame on the backs of suffering people. There are many qualified lawyers willing to help these families for free because they want to give back to the community."

But Isaacs rubbished De Bruyn's allegations and said she found it revolting that lawyers distributed business cards to grieving families at their children's funerals.

"I've made it clear to the families that I'm doing this [without charge].

"I suspect the unhappiness stems from lawyers who will lose money."