Case Law[2023] ZAGPPHC 462South Africa
Mthembu obo S.S.Z v RAF [2023] ZAGPPHC 462; 81106/2017 (9 June 2023)
High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Pretoria)
9 June 2023
Headnotes
of the injuries: Mild concussion. The impairment evaluation given is at 12% whole bodily impairment. The orthopaedic surgeon went through the hospital records and stated that the injuries were the left-hand injury, his middle finger was moving and hanging by the skin, and his upper and lower lips were injured. And from the hospital records, it is stated that: Left-hand injury of traumatic, of a left middle finger, at the pit joint, laceration to the ring finger and side dorsally. Both upper and lower lips laceration to the left side. The doctor confirms that
Judgment
begin wrapper
begin container
begin header
begin slogan-floater
end slogan-floater
- About SAFLII
About SAFLII
- Databases
Databases
- Search
Search
- Terms of Use
Terms of Use
- RSS Feeds
RSS Feeds
end header
begin main
begin center
# South Africa: North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria
South Africa: North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria
You are here:
SAFLII
>>
Databases
>>
South Africa: North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria
>>
2023
>>
[2023] ZAGPPHC 462
|
Noteup
|
LawCite
sino index
## Mthembu obo S.S.Z v RAF [2023] ZAGPPHC 462; 81106/2017 (9 June 2023)
Mthembu obo S.S.Z v RAF [2023] ZAGPPHC 462; 81106/2017 (9 June 2023)
Download original files
PDF format
RTF format
make_database: source=/home/saflii//raw/ZAGPPHC/Data/2023_462.html
sino date 9 June 2023
SAFLII
Note:
Certain
personal/private details of parties or witnesses have been redacted
from this document in compliance with the law and
SAFLII
Policy
REPUBLIC
OF SOUTH AFRICA
IN
THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
(GAUTENG
DIVISION, PRETORIA)
CASE
NO
: 81106/2017
(1)
REPORTABLE:
NO
(2)
OF INTEREST TO OTHER JUDGES:
NO
(3)
REVISED
NO
DATE:
09 JUNE 2023
In
the matter between
JT
MTHEMBU OBO S[….] S[….] Z[....]
PLAINTIFF
AND
RAF DEFENDANT
JUDGMENT
KHWINANA
AJ
INTRODUCTION
[1]
This matter is before me for quantum on loss of earnings, and general
damages. The defendant’s defence was
struck and the court then
referred this matter for default judgment. The applicant has filed an
application in terms of Rule 38(2)
requesting evidence by affidavit.
[2]
I am ceased with the determination of loss of earnings and general
damages.
INJURIES
[3]
The injuries have been listed on RAF 1 form and treatment plan:
“
Emergency
treatment, amputation of the left middle finger. The abridgment ring
finger and mouth, both lips, side left hand, traumatic
amputation, LT
middle finger, full thickness with extensive destruction, necrosis of
damage to muscle, bone, or supporting structure.
Devitalised tissue
LT ring finger, full thickness, and volume damage too, or necrosis of
subcutaneous tissue may extend to both
through facia. Deep septic
lacerations to the lip, partial thickness skin loss, involving
epidermis and dermis puss discharging.”
[4]
The claimant’s face, the mouth is lacerated, it was deep and
also a bit swollen. Mr Vorster referred to the
Neurosurgeon’s
report. The plaintiff is forgetful, and the mother has to repeat
things. There is an amputated left middle
finger, the claimant
sustained a mild concussion with soft tissues on the lips, no loss of
consciousness, and no recorded admission
of Glasco coma scale. No
further treatment was suggested.
Clinical
psychologist Dr. Maputsi
[5]
He states that neuropsychological impairments and clinical
psychological disturbances are due to the long-term effects
of the
accident, which include the effects of residual neurocognitive. He
says the plaintiff retained invalid responses from items
for higher
cognitive domains of executive function. Vision and cognitive
flexibility and complex attention, all scoring below average.
This
suggests the presence of long-term cognitive deficits. Based on the
history obtained and documentation reviewed, we conclude
that his
poor overall performance can be attributed to a combination of
cognitive deficits, arising from traumatic brain injury
sustained at
a vulnerable age.
[6]
Summary of the injuries
: Mild concussion. The impairment
evaluation given is at 12% whole bodily impairment. The orthopaedic
surgeon went through the hospital
records and stated that the
injuries were the left-hand injury, his middle finger was moving and
hanging by the skin, and his upper
and lower lips were injured. And
from the hospital records, it is stated that: Left-hand injury of
traumatic, of a left middle
finger, at the pit joint, laceration to
the ring finger and side dorsally. Both upper and lower lips
laceration to the left side.
The doctor confirms that
the
claimant is left-hand dominant.
[7]
The healed scar on the left ring finger, and left middle finger
amputation, yield a 2.5 inches stump from the MCP
joint. The doctor
referred to the x-rays which confirm that in terms of the narrative
test, it is serious long-term, and he gives
a 9%. He also confirms
the pain and the suffering.
[8]
It is recorded that there is not much of a consequence, because the
minor was at such a young age, but the behaviour
is consistent with
the diagnosis of PTSD in childhood. The clinical formulation or the
impact of the head injury says:
Based on the aforegoing,
we conclude that the head or brain injury that S[....] sustained at
the time of the accident, may have
contributed to a mild concussion.
The minor experiences poor performance on tests of higher domains of
executive function, reasoning
cognitive flexibility, and complex
attention.
[9]
Educational Psychologist: He records poor concentration,
forgetfulness, declined school performances, aggressive
behaviour
towards other children at school. Ms Mthembu reported that the
accident occurred in 2014, when S[....] was 7 years and
8 months old,
and in the first term of grade 3, the mother reported that S[....]
failed a grade before the accident. He reportedly
failed grade 5 in
2016, after the accident. He was in grade 6 at the time of the
report.
[10]
He opines that it can be assumed that S[....] would have coped
adequately with the academic requirements of a mainstream school,
up
until and including grade 12, NQF 4 level. He would have probably
been able to pass grade 12 NFQ 4, with a diploma or a degree
endorsement, which would have offered him the opportunity to obtain
an NQF 6 or 7 qualification in the area of his interest.
[11]
It is found to be functioning in a low average range of intelligence,
his global IQ score is average and his performance IQ
is average. On
scholastic assessment, he performed below average on the arithmetic
tests. He opines that a motor vehicle accident
had traumatic
consequences on perceptual-cognitive as well as emotional level and
may later manifest as serious learning disabilities.
An individual
with mild brain injury would not easily be noticed as his learning
language and other abstract concepts on an oral
level. Such learner
will benefit from various element support structures.
[12]
But with support, he will be able to pass matric, properly with a
certificate endorsement, NFQ 5 and will obviously need support
at
school and tertiary when the work is complicated. It has been
recorded that he is fearful at night and he has nightmares, he
has
pain of the stump during cold weather, not able to carry heavy items.
He has back pain when he is standing for too long, and
he has memory
problems. He struggles to remember things that happened 2 days ago.
[13]
According to the Industrial Psychologist having regard to the
residual capacity, the writer is of the opinion that once he
has
reached full maturity, he will probably retain the residual capacity
for sedentary light to medium occupations. However, he
is expected to
struggle with occupations that require fine motor skills and finger
dexterity, such as writing, typing, filing,
etc. As the injuries are
to the left dominant hand, the minor has suffered more prejudice.
While he is not expected to show proficiency
for labour intensive
work, he is also not expected to show proficiency for clerical and
administrative work, due to the left dominant
hand being affected.
[14]
His employment prospects will be directly linked to the level of
education he is able to achieve, in line with the injuries
profile.
The writer is of the opinion that the accident under discussion, has
resulted in an ongoing disruption to his life. He
has suffered
noteworthy injuries in the accident under discussion, and has limited
career options, due to the injury to the left
dominant hand. His
injuries are predominant, permanent and spontaneous recovery is not
expected.
[15]
The industrial psychologist opines that Scenario 1:
With
a grade 12 and a degree, level 7, the minor would have entered the
open labour market at a Patterson scale of B4/5, C1. Based
on his
career ceiling, he would probably have reached his career ceiling at
the Patterson D1 and 2 upper level at 45 years, before
retirement of
65.
Scenario
2: is the same, but with a diploma NFQ level 6, as stated.
[16]
Post-morbid: After the accident, the minor possessed the capacity to
acquire a grade 12 diploma and degree, level of education
prior to
the accident. He no longer possesses this potential, he is most
likely to reach his education and career at grade 11,
and probably
achieve a vocational training of a level 5, should he receive the
recommended support. It is recorded that S[....]
not only presents
with educational impediments, but rather that he has also been
compromised on a psychological and physical level.
[17]
He further opines it is also saddening to note that it will be
forever difficult for him, to negotiate employment. The economic
environment is epitomised by the interplay of high unemployment,
closure of industries, high inflation rates, influx of foreign
nationals with expertise in the form of cheap labour. Recognition of
the disabled at the workplace, is still an uncommon message,
it is
tantamount task to wrestle these factors in an injured
incapacitation. He has been left exposed to the gruesome consequences
of this accident. It should not be surprising that S[....] is
suffering long periods of unemployment, or rather intermitted periods
of employment.
[18]
He has thus suffered a justifiable loss of work capacity as indicated
by the other experts, as a direct result of the accident,
which will
most probably translate into loss of earnings and will most likely
remain as such in the future.
DR
A MUNRO (ACTUARY)
[19]
He opines that the information provided, indicates that the claimant
is not expected to reach the suggested pre-accident career
potential.
He might suffer losses that are not directly quantifiable and should
be addressed with contingencies. The one scenario,
the total amount
is 9.1 million and the second scenario is 7.6 million which is the
loss of earning capacity. He was in grade 3
at the time of the
accident, and should he pass each grade, he would have completed
grade 12 in 2023, which is this year.
[20]
The claimant is still in grade 9, we have assumed he will leave
school in grade 12 in 2024. We have assumed that a diploma
takes 2
years to complete and 3 years for a degree. There is RAF cap
applicable. The information provided indicates the claimant’s
career and earnings would have progressed as follows: December 2023
completes grade 12. 2026 a 3-year degree. January 2027, he
starts
with the Pattersons’ incomes and up until July 2051 when he
hits the ceiling. He further opines that in December 2024,
he leaves
school without a grade 12. January 2025, no earnings for 3 to 5
years. He will be intermitted or unemployed for some
period. In 2029,
unskilled at 21 400 per year, straight line. And age 25 he
reaches his ceiling, and retirement until 2065.
[21]
The contingencies they have used before the Road Accident Fund cap,
is 15% on future earnings, and 25% on, or the uninjured
earnings is
15 and the injuries 25. The future uninjured earnings amount to 13.7
million, putting the 13% contingencies. It gives
you 11.7 million.
Injured earnings of 644 000 with a 25% contingency. If you
deduct it you get to 11.2 million, but then there
is the cap, and
after it has been capped by the Road Accident Fund, you get to 4.7,
the 9.165 million, that is the first scenario,
with a loss of
earnings if there was a degree.
[22]
The other scenario is a diploma and the contingency applied is 15 and
25% if one had, it is 9.5 million, 13% contingency, gets
you to 8.1.
Again, assuming only a grade 11, we get to 644 of the 25, at 6.7
million. There is also a cap. They have added the
9.5 million and the
7.6 million together, divided by two, to get a medium between the
two. That then is 8.4 million. He opines
that the loss of earning
capacity uses the medium, which is 8.4 million. If one uses only the
diploma at 7.6 or then a degree,
that would be 9.1million.
[23]
Past Less Contingencies
R
9 588 000 – 00 15% R 644 900 – 00 25% R 8 149 800 –
00 R 483 675 - 00 R 7 666 125 - 00 TOTAL LOSS OF EARNINGS
R 7 666 125
– 00
COUNSEL
VORSTER ADDRESS
[24]
Counsel submits that the industrial psychologist did state that a
higher contingency should be used, and if the court is also
reluctant
to go into that way rather than a higher contingency, he submits not
to use the medium, but just the lower one, the one
of 7.6 million. He
says that will be in the court’s hands. The case law, is
something for the court to consider, considering
the young age, the
employment mobility of the claimant, then the situation in South
Africa with unemployment and all those factors.
The
difference between S[....] pre-morbid and post-morbid earning
potential represents the loss in terms of future income.
[25]
The general damages claim in the particulars of claim is 1.5 million.
In the matter of
Ramatsebe
vs RAF
[1]
where
a 3-year-old, 9-month-old boy, with mild to moderate brain injury, a
tibia fracture and post-traumatic stress, was awarded
an amount of
R800 000 in general damages in 2011. The current value is, 1.4
million. In
Pietersen
vs Road Accident Fund
[2]
,
a minor child presented with multiple degloving injuries involving
both feet, buttocks, right scapula, right shoulder, right forearm,
right face, and right side of the scalp. He underwent a debridement
procedure and doing skin graft and sculp. His glaucoma was
13 out of
15 and the neurosurgeon notes that the minor suffers from headaches
and his mother reported seizures. Here an amount
of 750 was granted,
in today’s terms it is 1.3 million.
[26]
In
Mqutwa
[3]
,
an 11-year-old and in grade 3 at school when she was involved in a
motor collision. She sustained an injury that was serious orthopaedic
and degloving injury, involving loss of bone, soft tissue and skin.
There was a traumatic amputation of the 4
th
and 5
th
fingers, following the amputation of the 4
th
and 5
th
bones as well, through a level of joints, so in other words she lost
2 fingers and part of the palm. In 2010 she awarded in R 250 000
it was 579 000, only the fingers’ amputation. In
Spinola
v Road Accident Fund
[4]
chest
injuries, facial injuries, abdominal injury, a left-hand injury, a
neck injury as well as post-traumatic stress disorder,
where the
court granted at that stage, R 200 000, in today’s value
it is R 387 000.
.
[27]
In
Nkosi
[5]
,
there were chest injuries, involving fractures to 5 ribs, fractures
of the 3
rd
and 4
th
,
right hand, a concussion and laceration of the head. In this matter,
there has been an amputation. In the matter of
Nkosi
[6]
,
it was only broken fingers, not an amputation and there the court
granted an award of 400 000. I have also mentioned another
matter, at paragraph 13, the matter of
Nsele
vs
Road Accident Fund
[7]
for
a head injury. A 34-year-old male was involved as a pedestrian in a
motor vehicle accident who suffered moderate to severe traumatic
brain injury, a femur fracture, several lacerations on the right leg
and facial area. The court there granted 1.1 million the current
value +R 1.2 million.
[28]
In
Mashigo
v Road Accident Fund
[8]
she was involved in a motor vehicle accident wherein she suffered
scarring to her breast, arms, soft tissue injury of the left
wrist
and knee. She was awarded R 562 000. Counsel submits that the
sum of R 950 000.00 will be fair and reasonable
in
casu.
MS
XEGWUANA ADDRESS
[29]
She submits that the offer was rejected thus the matter has to be
heard in relation to both loss of earning capacity and general
damages. She says the neurosurgeon is the only one that reflects that
the plaintiff had a mild brain injury which has not been
mentioned in
the hospital records. She says the injuries depicted are the upper
lip and an amputation of the left middle finger.
In the matter of
Mukutwa vs RAF
[9]
, where the
minor child there sustained serious orthopaedic injuries and
degloving injury involving loss of bone.
[30]
There was an amputation of the 4
th
and 5
th
fingers, followed by surgical amputation. It is more severe than the
injuries sustained by the plaintiff, because on the plaintiff’s
child, there was no loss of bones. She submitted that R 350 000
is fair and reasonable for general damages.
Dr.
Maud Ntanjana (Educational Psychologist)
[31]
He opines that –the trend now lately is that children often
achieve more than their parents, academically and vocationally,
and
also the fact that the educational landscape has since changed to
support the learners so that most are able to complete his
school
education. It is therefore assumed that he would have probably been
able to pass Grade 12 NQF4 with a Diploma or Degree
endorsement which
would have offered him the opportunity to attain an NQF6/7
qualification in an area of his interest depending
on the available
opportunities and resources.
[32]
The report of the educational psychologist indicated that with the
assistance the child might proceed with his studies and
obtain grade
12 up to a diploma. She says she believes that he can obtain a
diploma, because after the accident he failed grade
5, but after that
he passed other grades, which means he still has the capacity to pass
and proceed with his studies. He is a child
who is still growing.
[33]
Post the accident it is recorded that on the administration of ISNSP,
the test results show that S’bonelo is found to
be functioning
in the Low Average range of intelligence. His Global IQ score is 104
(Average), his Verbal IQ is 108 (Average) and
his performance IQ is
99 (Average). There was an 8-point difference between the Verbal and
Performance IQ’s scores in favour
of the Verbal scale which is
not significant. This suggests that S’bonelo performs better
through the use of verbal expression
and comprehension than concrete
non-verbal tasks. It may also indicate learning difficulties, or
emotional difficulties. S’bonelo
will need money to attain
appropriate support. Therefore, she recommends that funds be awarded
for such intervention to help with
the costs impacted by the
accident.
[34]
He would benefit from psychotherapy to address emotional difficulties
caused by the trauma of the accident and the trauma of
having his
finger amputated and having a scar on his lip causing low
self-esteem; School support (Remedial intervention) and accommodation
for academic challenges. Parent Guidance and Family Therapy: therapy
for his parents and siblings and immediate family to help
them
understand S[....] situation and assist him in developing to his full
potential.
[35]
She referred to the occupational therapist’s report which
indicated that he opines that once the minor has reached maturity,
he
will probably retain a residual capacity for sedentary light and
medium occupations. However, he is expected to struggle with
occupations that required fine motor skills and finger dexterous such
as writing and typing, etc. As the injuries to the left dominate,
the
minor has suffered more prejudice. The occupational therapist opined
that the minor has the capacity to do sedentary, light,
and medium
work. She suggest that the second scenario be used, because there is
a possibility that the child might progress up
to a diploma.
[36]
The defendant, proposes a 40% pre-accident and a 50% post-accident,
which gives the amount of R 5 430 350. Counsel
did not have
any caselaw to support her argument. She reiterates that the hospital
records do not depict head injury thus the amount
of the general
damages offered.
[37]
Counsel Vorster in reply says there is no justification for 40/50%
contingencies. He says it is surprising that counsel for
the
defendant is willing to accept the other medico-legal reports for
loss of earnings but not for general damages. He opines that
R
950 000 is reasonable and fair for general damages. He submits
that a trust may be created for the funds of the minor child
which
can be accessible after a further three period after the minor
becomes of age. He says at 18 years the level of maturity
is not such
that the funds would be used properly.
[38]
He says the mother will require a sum of R 300 000.00 before the
funds are put in a trust. He says the trust documents
were not
prepared and same can be prepared. Ms Xengwana did not have
submissions with regard to the trust. It was also submitted
there is
a contingency fee agreement and the court advised on the crafting of
the paragraph in the draft order. The issue of costs
were alluded to
wherein counsel mentioned that he has inserted the clause that same
are subject to the master’s discretion.
THE
LAW
[39]
It
is accepted that earning capacity may constitute an asset in a
person's patrimonial estate. If loss of earnings is proven the
loss
may be compensated if it is quantifiable as a diminution in the value
of the estate.
[10]
It
must be noted, a physical disability that impacts the capacity for an
income does not, on its own, reduce the patrimony of an
injured
person. It is incumbent on the plaintiff to prove that the reduction
of the income earning capacity will result in actual
loss of
income.
[11]
[40]
The actuarial calculations are based on proven facts and realistic
assumptions regarding the future. The Actuary guides
the court in
making calculations. The court has a wide judicial discretion and
therefore the final say regarding the calculations.
The actuary
relies on the report of the Industrial Psychologists, who would have
obtained information from the plaintiff and any
other relevant
source. In
Bee
v Road Accident Fund
[12]
the
court held that the younger the victim the longer the period over
which the vicissitudes of life will operate and the
greater the
uncertainty in assessing the claimant’s likely career path.
[41]
The
court, in the case of
Road
Accident Fund v Guedes
[13]
at
paragraph 9 referred with approval to
The
Quantum Yearbook
,
by the learned author Dr R.J. Koch, under the heading
'General
Contingencies
',
where it states that:
“…
[when]
assessing damages for loss of earnings or support, it is usual for a
deduction to be made for general contingencies for which
no explicit
allowance has been made in the actuarial calculation. The deduction
is the prerogative of the Court...”
(My
Emphasis)
[42]
Nicholas
JA
[14]
stated the following at p.113 paragraph G-H
"Any
enquiry into damages for loss of earning capacity is of its nature
speculative. because it involves predictions as to
the future. All
that the court can do is to make an estimate, which is often a very
rough estimate. of the present value of the
loss.
It
has opened to it two possible approaches.
One
is for the judge to make a round estimate of an amount that seems to
him to be fair and reasonable. This is entirely a matter
of
guesswork, a blind plunge into the unknown.
The
other is to try to make an assessment. by way of mathematical
calculations. on the basis of assumptions resting on the evidence.
The validity of this approach depends of course upon the soundness of
the assumptions, and these may vary from the strongly probable
to the
speculative. It is manifest that either approach involves guesswork
to a greater or lesser extent. There are cases where
the assessment
by the court is little more than an estimate; but even so. if it is
certain that pecuniary damage has been suffered,
the court is bound
to award damages”.
[43]
It is now
well-settled that contingencies, whether negative or positive, are an
important control mechanism to adjust the loss suffered
to the
circumstances of the individual case in order to achieve equity and
fairness to the parties. There is no hard and fast rule
regarding
contingency allowances. Koch in
The
Quantum Yearbook
(2011)
at 104 said:
“
General
contingencies cover a wide range of considerations which may vary
from case to case and may include: taxation, early death,
saved
travel costs, loss of employment, promotion prospects, divorce, etc.
There are no fixed rules as regards general contingencies.
”
[15]
[44]
In
Sandler
v Wholesale Coal Suppliers Ltd
[16]
wherein Watermeyer JA held the view that
“
I
now come to the difficult task of estimating the compensation which
should be paid for the pain and suffering and permanent disability
suffered by the appellant in consequence of the accident…….
The question now arises whether this court should increase
the amount
awarded to the appellant for pain and suffering and permanent
disability. In considering that question it must be recognized
that
though the law attempts to repair the wrong done to a sufferer who
has received personal injuries in an accident by compensating
him in
money, there are no scales by which pain and suffering can be
measured, and there is no relationship between pain and money
which
makes it possible to express the one in terms of the other with any
approach to certainty. The amount to be awarded as compensation
can
only be determined by the broadest general consideration and the
figure arrived at must necessarily be uncertain, depending
upon the
judge’s view of what is fair in all the circumstances of the
case”.
ANALYSIS
[45]
The minor child will be able to do light
duty as per the experts opinion. He is likely to obtain a diploma. He
will not be able
to compete with abled bodies as he has been
compromised.
I
am therefore mindful that the minor child will be an unequal
competitor in the open labour market compared with his healthier
peers and that he will not be able to perform functions efficiently
and effectively as compared to his counterparts. The injuries
sustained from the accident will hinder his career and future
employability. The minor has suffered a medically justifiable loss
of
earnings or work capacity as a direct result of the accident.
[46]
In considering
the claim for the minor his background and family history plays a
pivotal role. However, may I hasten to say that
I do not believe that
the history of the family limits anyone that is determined to
achieve. In fact, I am ad idem with counsel
for the defendant that
children grow and the minor is still growing. The factors that I have
also taken into account are:
[46.1]
Prior to the accident, the minor was an average learner.
[46.2]
The possibility exists that he would be able to obtain a grade 11 and
that with assistance will obtain grade
12 and then a diploma.
[46.3]
That the Actuary postulated loss of earnings these were considered
from Paterson’s figures relating to
corporate survey earnings
which may not be applicable to the minor child.
[46.4]
His pre-accident and post-accident life expectancy remains unchanged.
[46.6]
That he will be able to work until 65 must be considered.
[46.7]
That he suffered a mild brain
injury, amputation of his middle Finger and lacerations on the face.
[46.8]
That the minor child has
developed behavioural changes and that he has failed a grade before
and after the accident.
[46.10]
That children are likely to be healed of their injuries.
[41]
I have cumulatively considered all the facts and I have applied the
contingencies that are fair and reasonable under
the circumstances in
terms of the second scenario. I could not find any justification to
deviate from the medico-legal as alluded
to by the actuary. I have
also considered the caselaw alluded to in relation to general damages
and I agree with counsel for the
plaintiff that medico-legal reports
cannot be accepted selectively by the defendant. The defendant has
failed to challenge the
medico-legal report with an expert of similar
qualifications. I do not think it is acceptable that counsel who is a
layman in the
field will be able to express an opinion in a field
that he has no knowledge thereof. I, therefore, agree that the
plaintiff must
be compensated for general damages at R 800 000.
[42]
It will be in the best interest of the minor child that a trust be
created for his benefit. The said trust should be
created within a
month of this order and the funds should be kept for the benefit of
the minor child until after the age of twenty-one.
[42]
In the result, I make the following order:
Order
Draft
order marked 'X' as amended is made an order of court.
ENB
KHWINANA
ACTING
JUDGE OF NORTH GAUTENG HIGH COURT, PRETORIA
COUNSEL
FOR PLAINTIFF: ADVOCATE
J. VORSTER
INSTRUCTED
BY: MARISANA
MASHEDI INC.
COUNSEL
FOR DEFENDANT: MS N. XENGWANA
INSTRUCTED
BY: STATE
ATTORNEY
DATE
OF HEARING: 10
MARCH 2023
DATE
OF JUDGMENT: 09
JUNE 2023
IN
THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
GAUTENG
DIVISION, PRETORIA)
Before
KHWINANA AJ
On
the 09
th
of June 2023
Case
No.: 81106/2017
In
the matter between:
JABU
TWICE MTHEMBU OBO
PLAINTIFF
S[....]
S[....] Z[....]–
AND
–
ROAD
ACCIDENT FUND
DEFENDANT
DRAFT
COURT ORDER
HAVING
read the documents filed of record, having heard Counsel and having
considered the matter:
THE
COURT ORDERS THAT:
1.
The Defendant pay the Plaintiff, JABU TWICE MTHEMBU in her
representative capacity as a biological mother and natural guardian
of her child, namely, S[....] S[....] Z[....](hereinafter referred to
as the “minor”) with RAF Link Number: 4173186,
the sum of
R 800 000.00 (Eight Hundred Thousand Rands), in respect of
General Damages.
2.
Defendant pay Plaintiff the sum of R 7 666 125 – 00
(Seven Million Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand
One Hundred and Twenty-Five Rand Only), in respect of Loss of
Earnings.
3.
The total amount of Eight Million Four Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand
One Hundred and Twenty-Five Rans Only, will not bear
interest unless
Defendant fails to effect payment thereof within 14 (Fourteen) days
from date of this order, in which event, the
capital amount will bear
interest at a rate of 7.75% per annum, calculated from and including
the 1st day, up to and including
the date of payment thereof.
4.
The Plaintiff’s attorneys shall within 3 (three) months from
the date on which the capital amount referred to in
paragraph 3 above
is paid by the Defendant, establish a TRUST of the minor child
(S’bonelo Siyamthanda Z[....]).
4.1
To
cause a trust ("the Trust") to be established in accordance
with the Trust Property Control Act No 57 of 1988, the
prescribed
tariffs for curators in terms of
Section
84(1)(b)
of
the
Administration
of Estates Act 66 of 1965
,
read with
Regulation
8(3)
,
as amended from time to time shall be applicable;
4.2
The defendant shall be liable for:
4.2.1
the reasonable costs incurred in the
establishment of a TRUST as contemplated below and the appointment of
trustee(s);
4.2.2
the
reasonable costs incurred in the administration of the trust, which
administration costs recoverable from the defendant shall
be limited
to the prescribed tariffs for curators in terms of
Section
84(1)(b)
of
the
Administration
of Estates Act 66 of 1965
,
read with
Regulation
8(3)
,
as amended from time to time;
4.2.3
the reasonable costs incurred in
providing security to the satisfaction of the Mater of the High Court
of South Africa for the administration
of the award in favour of the
patient and the annual retention of such security to meet the
requirements of the Master in terms
of Section 6 of the Trust
Property Control Act 57 of 1988.
5.
Before payment of the capital into the Trust so to be created,
Marisana Mashedi Incorporated, shall pay an amount of R
300 000 –
00 (Three hundred thousand rands) in advance into the mother of the
minor child’s personal account, after
all disbursements and the
relevant attorneys’ legal fees have been deducted, to cater for
the immediate needs of the minor
child.
6.
The Defendant shall pay the Plaintiff’s taxed or agreed
party-and-party costs on the High Court scale up to date
hereof,
subject thereto that:
6.1 In the event
that the costs are not agreed:
6.1.1 the
Plaintiff shall serve a Notice of Taxation on the Defendant;
6.1.2 the
Plaintiff shall allow the Defendant 14 (fourteen) court days from
date of the signed allocatur of the Taxing
Master on the Plaintiff’s
taxed Bill of Costs, to make payment of the taxed costs;
6.1.3 should
payment not be effected timeously, the Plaintiff will be entitled to
recover interest at the rate of 7.75%
on the taxed or agreed costs
from the date of agreement, alternatively, the date of the Taxing
Master’s allocatur, to-date
of final payment.
6.2 Such costs
shall include:
6.2.1 the
reasonable costs in obtaining payment of the amount referred to in
paragraphs 2 and 3 above; traveling to
and spending time traveling to
pre-trial conferences; video and telephonic consultations with
Counsel, Plaintiff, and Respondent;
6.2.2
Counsels’ fees including preparations; previous Court
attendances; and Court attendances on 25 October 2021;
10 March 2023;
6.2.3 the
taxable costs of obtaining the medico-legal reports of all the
experts in respect of the quantum of the Plaintiff’s
claim,
including consultation and costs of interpreter, of which the
Plaintiff gave notice in terms of the provisions of the Court
Rules
36(9)(a) and (b); 6.2.4 the taxable qualifying reservation and
preparation costs of the experts hereunder, as allowed by
the Taxing
Master:
a) Dr. J. A.
Ntimbani - Neurosurgeon;
b) Dr. M. A. Morule
- Orthopaedic Surgeon;
c) Mr. Samuel
Mphuthi - Clinical Psychologist;
d) Dr. Maud
Ntanjana - Educational Psychologist;
e) Sagwati Sebapu -
Occupational Therapist;
f) Industrial
Psychologist – Mr. Evans M. Ganyane; and
g) Actuary –
Dr. A. Munro.
7.
The costs referred to in paragraph 6 above, shall be subject to the
discretion of the Taxing Master.
8.
The amounts referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 above, shall be paid
to the Plaintiff’s attorneys, Marisana Mashedi
Incorporated, by
direct transfer into their trust account details of which are the
following: -
ACCOUNT HOLDER : MARISANA
MASHEDI ATTORNEYS
NAME OF BANK : ABSA
ACCOUNT NUMBER : 4[....]1
BRANCH NAME: MONTANA
TYPE OF ACCOUNT : TRUST
ACCOUNT
9.
The contingency fee agreement entered into between the plaintiff and
the attorney complies with the Contingency Fee Agreement
Act. It
is
recorded
that
the total fees are inclusive of VAT recoverable in
terms of the Contingency Fee Agreement Act and shall not exceed 25%
of the total
capital amount set out in para 3 supra.
BY
ORDER THE REGISTRAR
[1]
2011
[2]
Pietersen
v Road Accident Fund (08/19299) [2011] ZAGPJHC 73 (11 August 2011)
[3]
Mqutwa
v Road Accident Fund (3178/2006) [2010] ZAECGHC 32 (2 May 2010) at 3
& 4.
[4]
(29013/2009
2010 ZAGPPHC 167(13 October 2010)
[5]
2009
ZAGP JHC 42 (24 April 2009)
[6]
Ibid
supra 8
[7]
2021
ZAGPPH 455 (13 July 2021)
[8]
2120/2014
(2018 ZAGPPHC 539 (13 June 2018)
[9]
Ibid
3 supra
[10]
Prinsloo
v Road Accident Fund
2009
5 SA 406
(SECLD)
at 409C-41A
[11]
Rudman
v Road Accident Fund
2003
(2) SA 234
(SCA)
at para 11, Union and National Insurance Co
[12]
2018(4)
SA 366 SCA para 116
[13]
2006(5)
SA 583
[14]
Southern
Insurance Association LTD V Bailey NO
1984(1)
SA 98
[15]
Gwaxula
v Road Accident Fund (09/41896) [2013] ZAGPJHC 240 (25 September
2013)
[16]
Sandler
v Wholesale Coal Suppliers Ltd
1941 AD 194
sino noindex
make_database footer start
Similar Cases
Mthembu v Special Investigating Unit and Another (21441/2020) [2023] ZAGPPHC 59 (2 February 2023)
[2023] ZAGPPHC 59High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Pretoria)99% similar
Mthembu v Special Investigating Unit and Another (Leave to Appeal) (21441/20) [2024] ZAGPPHC 865 (30 July 2024)
[2024] ZAGPPHC 865High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Pretoria)99% similar
Mthimunye v S (A62/2023) [2023] ZAGPPHC 1944 (29 November 2023)
[2023] ZAGPPHC 1944High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Pretoria)99% similar
Mthembu v Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa and Others (023166/2022) [2023] ZAGPPHC 1197 (20 September 2023)
[2023] ZAGPPHC 1197High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Pretoria)99% similar
Mthembu v Ntsako and Others (2024-021190) [2024] ZAGPPHC 259 (25 March 2024)
[2024] ZAGPPHC 259High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Pretoria)99% similar