Case Law[2025] ZAWCHC 372South Africa
Mboyo-Iyuma v Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (6158/2018) [2025] ZAWCHC 372 (20 August 2025)
High Court of South Africa (Western Cape Division)
20 August 2025
Judgment
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## Mboyo-Iyuma v Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (6158/2018) [2025] ZAWCHC 372 (20 August 2025)
Mboyo-Iyuma v Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (6158/2018) [2025] ZAWCHC 372 (20 August 2025)
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sino date 20 August 2025
IN
THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
(WESTERN
CAPE DIVISION, CAPE TOWN)
Case
No: 6158/2018
In
the matter between:
BIENVENU
MBOYO-IYUMA
Plaintiff
and
PASSENGER
RAIL AGENCY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Defendant
Judgment
Reserved:
15 April 2025
Judgment
Delivered:
20 August 2025
JUDGMENT
HOLDERNESS
J
A.
INTRODUCTION
[1]
O
n 26 August 2017, at Koeberg station, Western Cape, the
plaintiff, Bienvenu Mboyo-Iyuma (the plaintiff or Mr. Mboyo-Iyuma),
an adult
male former truck driver, born on 16 November 1971, was
attacked by unknown assailants on a train operated by the Defendant.
He
was pushed from the train, through the open doors thereof (the
incident).
[2]
As a result of the incident, the plaintiff sustained an above-elbow
amputation of
the left arm and soft tissue injury to the lumbar
spine.
B.
THE MERITS SETTLEMENT
[3]
The plaintiff and the defendant, the Passenger Rail Agency of South
Africa (PRASA
or the defendant), have settled the issues of causal
negligence and causal contributory negligence, on the basis that the
defendant
is to pay 50% (fifty per cent) of the proven or agreed
damages arising out of the incident.
[4]
During the first day of the trial, the parties settled general
damages in the amount
of R1,500,000.
C.
THE QUANTUM EXPERT REPORTS
[5]
The plaintiff appointed as experts orthopaedic surgeons, Dr J Sagor
and Dr B Bernstein,
an orthotist and prosthetist, Dr E Rossouw, an
occupational therapist, M Le Roux, an industrial psychologist, Ms K
Kotze, and Munro
Consulting (actuaries).
[6]
The Defendant obtained the expert reports of orthopaedic surgeon,
Prof GJ Vlok, orthotist
and prosthetist, Mr J Brand, occupational
therapist, Ms J Andrews, industrial psychologist, DG Malherbe and
Fero Actuarial Consulting
(actuaries).
[7]
The parties obtained the following joint expert minutes:
7.1
Dr J Sagor and Prof GJ Vlok (orthopaedic surgeons) – dated 22
July 2024 and 3 February
2025.
7.2
Mr E Rossouw and Mr J Brand (orthotists and
prosthetists) – dated 3 February 2025.
7.3
Ms M Le Roux and Ms J Andrews (occupational therapists) – dated
22 January 2025.
7.4
Ms K Kotze and Mr D Malherbe (industrial psychologists) – dated
30 January 2025.
[8]
As neither party has repudiated any of the joint expert minutes, the
principles set
out in
Bee
v Road Accident Fund
[1]
apply to the agreements
outlined in the joint minutes, that is, that facts agreed by experts
in joint minutes are binding unless
timeously and clearly repudiated;
they carry the same weight as common-cause facts in pleadings or
pre-trial agreements.
D.
THE ISSUES FOR ADJUDICATION
[9]
The issues for adjudication are:
9.1 Past medical
expenses.
9.2 Future medical
expenses.
9.3 Past and future loss
of earnings.
9.4 Costs and the scale
of counsel’s fees.
E.
EVIDENCE BY EXPERT WITNESSES AND THE RULE 38(2) APPLICATION
[10]
The plaintiff led the oral evidence of Mr Rossouw, Ms Le Roux, Ms
Kotze and Mr Boshoff, who confirmed
the contents of their reports and
joint minutes.
[11]
The plaintiff applied under Rule 38(2) for the reports of Dr Sagor
and Prof Vlok to be admitted
into evidence. The application was
unopposed and was duly granted.
[12]
The Defendant called Mr Brand and Ms Andrews as expert witnesses.
[13]
I now turn to address the heads of damages.
F.
LOSS OF EARNINGS
[14]
Ms Kotze (KK), the plaintiff’s appointed industrial
psychologist (IP), concerning the joint
minute she concluded with the
defendant’s appointed IP, Mr D Malherbe (DM), noted the
following points of agreement:
14.1
With regard to the claimant’s unaffected earnings, at the time
of the incident, Mr Mboyo-lyuma was
a 45-year-old individual, in
possession of a Diplôme d'Etat (DRC), equivalent to a South
African Grade 12 level of education.
His former work roles include
that of general worker, construction worker, artisan's assistant and
truck driver.
14.2 In
October 2012, he commenced working at Driver Excellence as a Code 14
Driver. He was employed in this role
at the time of the incident.
14.3
But for the accident, Mr Mboyo-lyuma would in all probability have
been able to continue to function as a
Code 14 Driver.
14.4
For purposes of the quantification, Mr. Mboyo-lyuma would probably
have continued to earn his actual remuneration
in 2017, with
straight-line increases to remuneration associated with the earnings
for a Code 14 driver at Driver Excellence. For
2024, i.e. R78-60
p/hour (45 hours p/week), equating to R3 537-00 p/week and R183
782-52 p/annum.
[2]
14.5
This would probably have been followed by earnings inflation up to
retirement age at 65 years.
[15]
Where Ms Kotze (KK) and Mr Malherbe (DGM) parted ways was that Mr
Malherbe observed that whereas
the employer certificate relied upon
quotes the hourly rate, the claimant may have earned less at times as
a Code 10 driver or
due to shorter working hours as were evident in
his pre-accident salary advices. The plaintiff’s annual
earnings may therefore
have been reduced as a result of working on
different contracts. This indeed may well have been so, and will be
dealt with through
a contingency deduction on his premorbid earnings.
[16]
Concerning the plaintiff’s affected or post-accident earnings,
KK and DM agree/note that:
16.1
Mr. Mboyo-lyuma was unable to resume his work role as a truck driver
or similar, or any other work roles
in line with his level of
education and job skills in the open labour market at the time of the
incident.
16.2 He
is however, reportedly assisting his spouse, who is an informal
trader, selling fresh produce from a temporary
stall on the premises
where they reside.
16.3
Drs Vlok and Sagor, in their joint minute, agree that Mr. Mboyo-Iyuma
is limited to doing activities needing
one arm. He cannot return to
work as a truck driver, but could be trained to do alternative
clerical or supervisory work, should
the opportunity arise.
16.4
However, noting Mr. Mboyo-lyuma's age (52 years) and his previous
work roles of a basic-skilled nature and
his lack of administrative
or supervisory skills, it seems impracticable that he could be
trained in such capacities as the open
labour market, or will be in a
position to compete with able bodied job applicants who are already
trained and experienced in in
the open labour market.
16.5
Ms. Andrews and Mr. Le Roux, in their joint minute, agree that while
the plaintiff’s residual physical
capacity supports the ability
to perform sedentary to light physical work, involving predominantly
one-handed tasks, he is essentially
considered unemployable. He is no
longer suitable for manual and driving work, including his previous
role as a truck driver. They
concurred that he can continue assisting
his wife in selling fresh produce in the informal sector.
16.6 They
agreed that Mr. Mboyo-lyuma's chances of securing gainful employment
in the open labour market are almost
non-existent, and that he will
probably remain unemployed for the remainder of his working life.
[16]
Mr. Malherbe’s view was that, based on the plaintiff’s
explanation of this venture
to him, it was suggested that it is his
own business since 2022, and that he plays an active part, even
though his earnings are
very limited.
[17]
I am not persuaded that this is so. It is clear from the joint minute
that the plaintiff indicated
that a casual employee assists twice a
day to erect and dismantle the stall and to carry produce to and from
the stall, and that
customers have to pack their purchases into a
carrier bag. These are all tasks which the plaintiff clearly cannot
attend to with
only one arm.
[18]
While Mr Mboyo-lyuma should be commended for his willingness to
participate in his spouse's venture,
it is clear that his
participation, which is limited to calculating customers’
purchases and handling cash, cannot be regarded
as employment, but
rather as familial support, which gives him a sense of purpose. It
is, furthermore, noted that he is not remunerated
for his
participation in the venture, and the only reported benefit is that
his spouse is afforded a certain time during the day
to attend to
household chores, whilst he mans the stall.
[19]
It is apparent from the foregoing that the plaintiff is unemployable
in the open labour market.
In the circumstances, I am satisfied that
for all practical purposes, Mr Mboyo-lyuma has remained unemployed
since the accident
until the present, and that a total loss of
earnings has occurred from the date of the incident. For purposes of
the quantification
of the claim, the likely pre-incident earnings
should be used as a baseline.
[20]
In the Munro actuarial report dealing with loss of earnings, set
forth in Exhibit ‘E’,
the calculations are based on the
IP joint minute, with scenario 1 representing KK, scenario 2
representing DGM, and scenario 3
being the average between scenarios
1 and 2.
[21]
Mr Boshoff testified that the 5% applied to past earnings is the
standard contingency, and that
the 10% applied to future earnings in
Exhibit ‘E’ based on the sliding scale is a conservative
contingency.
[22]
As Nicholas JA said in
Southern
Insurance Association Ltd v Bailey NO (Bailey)
[3]
deduction
for contingencies is meant to account for the ‘vicissitudes of
life’
[4]
. These include:
‘
[T]he
possibility that the plaintiff may in the result have less than a
“normal” expectation of life; and that he may
experience
periods of unemployment by reason of incapacity due to illness or
accident, or to labour unrest or general economic
conditions.’
[23]
The court referred to
Singh
v Ebrahim
,
[5]
in which a 15 per cent contingency deduction was approved, and
PM
obo TM v MEC for Health
in
which 20 per cent was deducted
.
[6]
[24]
It is well established in our law that the Court has ‘a large
discretion to award what
it considers right.’
[7]
One of the elements in exercising that discretion is the making of a
discount for contingencies or the ‘vicissitudes
of life.’
These include such matters as the possibility that the plaintiff may
in the result have less than a ‘normal’
expectation of
life; and that he may experience periods of unemployment by reason of
incapacity due to illness or accident, or
to labour unrest or general
economic conditions. The amount of any discount may vary, depending
upon the circumstances of the case.
[8]
[25]
In
Road
Accident Fund v Kerridge
[9]
(‘Kerridge’)
the
Court noted that 5%
and
15% for past and future earnings (or earning capacity), respectively,
have become accepted as 'normal contingencies'.
[10]
This generality notwithstanding, the assessment remains ‘largely
arbitrary’ and must depend upon the trial Judge's
impression of
the case. As pointed out by
Bailey,
the vicissitudes of life
may be either adverse or favourable.
[11]
[26]
I am satisfied that, taking into account the plaintiff’s age
and the circumstances of this
case, the contingencies proposed by Mr.
Boshoff are fair, and that an average of the scenarios proposed by
the two IP experts is
appropriate. This is calculated, after applying
contingencies of 5% on past and 10% on future earnings, as follows:
26.1
Scenario 1 (KK):
R3,132,930.00
26.2
Scenario 2 (DGM):
R2,849,085.00
26.3
Scenario 3 (Average):
R2,990,960.00
[27]
The past earnings as reflected in the actuarial calculation, is
R1,183,200. Applying a contingency
deduction of 5% to this amount
would yield R1,124,040. The future uninjured earnings amount to
R2,232,100. Applying a contingency
deduction of 15% to this amount
would yield R1,897,285. The loss of earnings in the injured
state is accordingly R3,021,325.
The court accordingly awards damages
for the plaintiff’s loss of earnings and earning capacity in
the amount of R1,495,480.
[12]
THE
PROSTHESIS QUESTION
[28]
By far the most vexing and contested issue in this matter, which has
been very difficult to decide,
is the issue of which prosthesis is
most appropriate for the plaintiff. The orthopaedic surgeons and OTs
deferred to the orthotists
and prosthetists on which prosthetic would
ultimately be best used and provide the greatest benefit to the
plaintiff.
[29]
The prosthetists appointed by the plaintiff and the defendant,
respectively, Mr E Rossouw (ER)
and Mr J Brand (JB) (the
prosthetists)
[13]
,
both provided oral testimony and extensive written input, which has
been of great assistance to the court. The following appear
to be the
only points of agreement that can be gleaned from their joint minute
dated 3 February 2025:
29.1
The selection, application, fitting and costing of a prosthesis for
an individual with unique needs and expectations
fall within their
domain as prosthetic specialists, and are not within the scope of
other experts.
29.2
That Mr. Mboyo-Iyuma is a medically suited candidate for both the
myo-electronic (ME) prosthesis recommended
by ER and the cosmetic
prosthesis recommended by JB.
[30]
In the joint minute and in his evidence, ER suggested a dual approach
in which the plaintiff
is provided with both the ME and the cosmetic
prosthesis (the dual approach).
[31]
Mr Boshoff calculated the costing of the dual approach, based on the
assumption that the plaintiff
would use the ME until 70 years of age,
and thereafter the cosmetic prosthesis for the remainder of his life.
It was contended
on behalf of the plaintiff that the dual approach
would be a ‘fair and reasonable compromise’ in this
matter.
[32]
Ms Masupye argued that where the plaintiff claims future medical
expenses, the court will be
guided by the principle that a plaintiff
must mitigate his damages – he cannot claim the most expensive
treatment and expect
the defendant to bear the costs thereof.
[14]
[33]
The defendant argued that because the plaintiff would not have been
able to afford the ME but
for the incident, he is not able to claim
the same due to the injuries resulting from the incident.
[34]
The trite delictual principle referred to by Mr Laubscher to counter
this argument is as
follows:
‘
The basic
principle underlying an award of damages in the Aquilian action is
that the compensation must be so assessed as to place
the plaintiff,
as far as possible, in the position he would have occupied had the
wrongful act causing him injury not been committed.
This is done by
comparing the plaintiff’s ‘property’, here meaning
a universitas or complex of legal relations,
including rights and
duties, as it is after the commission of the wrongful act with its
projected state had the wrong not been
committed.’
[15]
[35]
The defendant questioned how, in circumstances where ER testified
that the plaintiff does not
understand the benefits of a ME
prosthesis and has never had the opportunity to use it, he claims a
‘luxury he never had
before the incident at the expense of the
taxpayer?’. This, of course, loses sight of the fact that
before the incident he
had both upper limbs and did not need a ME or
a cosmetic prosthesis.
[36]
In determining whether the plaintiff has shown that applying the
delictual principle above, I
have had regard to the evidence of both
ER and JB’s evidence and the points raised for and against the
ME prosthesis, both
in their respective reports and their joint
minute. I shall also refer to the reports of the other experts only
insofar as they
are relevant to the prosthesis question.
[37]
An issue which I raised with the plaintiff’s counsel was the
failure to call the plaintiff
himself to give evidence to testify
inter alia
regarding whether he required the ME prosthesis for
his daily activities and whether he would use it, as the plaintiff
must establish
as a matter of probability that this expense is
reasonable and/or necessary. The failure to call the plaintiff was
never satisfactorily
explained.
[38]
In his report, ER stated that the intention of the
prosthetic prescription in his report is to be in the best interest
of the plaintiff
concerning the best possible functional and cosmetic
restoration of his arm amputation, and is not based on a suggested or
requested
budget and an alternative and compromised prosthetic
prescription will only be provided if so requested.
[39]
Mr. Rossouw listed
inter alia
the following gains with a ME
prosthesis:
39.1
During food preparation, the plaintiff could hold a piece of food
with a fork while cutting it.
39.2 He
could hold a bottle or jar whilst opening it, provided it is not
closed too tightly.
39.3 He
could hold a book while paging through it, or a wallet while taking
money out of it.
39.6 He
could open a door whilst carrying an object. Or hold a shopping
basket while packing groceries in the
basket.
[40]
Mr. Rossouw stated that the plaintiff would require both a primary
and secondary prosthesis,
and that to optimise the best possible
outcome and integration with the prosthesis into activities of daily
living. Denser formal
training should be provided by an occupational
therapist who is trained and experienced in upper limb prosthetic
rehabilitation.
[41]
The cost of a primary and secondary prosthesis, excluding cosmetic
gloves, at the time of his
report (in 2019) was R1,155,182. If
the plaintiff is provided only with a primary prosthesis, the primary
prosthesis would
need replacement once every four to five years. If
provision is made for a secondary prosthesis, the primary and
secondary prosthesis
would need to be replaced once every eight to
ten years.
[42]
The OTs deferred to the prosthetists, however there are observations
in their report which bear
relevance to the prosthesis question.
[43]
Ms. Andrews noted in her report dated 18 May 2024 that the plaintiff
wears a cosmetic prosthesis
irregularly, due to discomfort because of
its weight. The plaintiff has developed a habit of only wearing the
prosthesis when going
out and is likely to continue with this habit.
The plaintiff reported that ‘he is frustrated easily and tends
to give up’.
Ms. Andrews observed that learning to use a ME
prosthesis is a reasonably lengthy and time-consuming process, with
ongoing use
and practice to master it. She envisioned that he may
react similarly to learning to use the ME prosthesis.
[44]
She expressed the view that, based on her assessment and input from
his wife, the plaintiff may
no longer be as mentally sharp, and
ultimately may be unable to learn to use the ME prosthesis or cope
with maintenance and repair
requirements.
[45]
Ms. Andrews questioned the need for a ME prosthesis, as in her view
the functions described by
ER are significantly limited for the
plaintiff, and while some may be useful, he has developed alternative
ways of coping with
many bilateral activities. She noted that it will
not help him tie his laces, dye his beard, wash his back, or drive,
which are
the activities he reports to have difficulties with.
[46]
Lastly, she noted that the plaintiff seems to be motivated to
continue with the home-based business
of buying and selling
vegetables, and a ME prosthesis Is unlikely to enable better
functioning within the business and may be a
hindrance rather than a
help. It may also attract unwanted attention, with risk of theft,
given the higher value and electronic
parts.
[47]
Ms. Andrews concluded that the OT assessment indicates that given his
age, his level of independence,
his habits, behaviours and future
plans, the provision of a ME prosthesis is unlikely to improve the
plaintiff’s situation
significantly and leading him to believe
it will, may be doing him a disservice or giving him false hope of
significantly improved
abilities.
[48]
Ms. Le Roux, the plaintiff’s OT expert, supports a ME
prosthesis, as in her view, it aligns
with the plaintiff's needs and
goals and has the potential to notably enhance his functional
independence and quality of life,
particularly for bimanual tasks,
will enable him to contribute more to household and store activities.
[49]
Ms. Le Roux further supported rehabilitation and prosthesis training
for the ME prosthesis by
a Certified Hand Therapist (with either an
OT or physiotherapist), and opined that allowance should be made for
20-30 sessions
at a current cost of R950 – R1,000 per hour.
[50]
In this regard, Ms. Andrews observed that Prosthetic training differs
significantly from the
tendon transfer training, owing to multiple
factors, of which the most significant is the lack of sensation of
movement felt in
the ME hand. She noted that the plaintiff would
require a French interpreter for training, which would add further
complications.
Considering his age, cognitive difficulties (as noted
in her report, as well as difficulties understanding the interpreter
and
his tendency to be impatient), as well as his established
abilities, Miss Andrews remains doubtful that he will benefit from a
ME prosthesis.
[51]
In his report dated 25 January 2025, which he confirmed in his
evidence, Mr. Brand noted as follows:
51.1
The plaintiff uses his prosthesis when he goes out in public but does
not use it at home.
51.2 It
has been 7 years since his amputation, and he has managed to become
right-handed, does everything with
his right hand and uses his stump
as support.
51.3 He
would be able to control a ME prosthesis, but at this stage of his
life, it would not contribute to quality
since the effort outweighs
the reward.
51.4 He
has adapted to using his right hand, and if he were fitted with an ME
prosthesis early in his rehabilitation,
it might have been a
different outcome.
51.5
Abandonment rates in upper limb prosthetic rehabilitation worldwide
are higher than 50%. Clinical reality
still shows high rejection
rates of cost-intensive prosthetic devices.
51.6
His current needs are for a lightweight cosmetic Prosthesis with a
silicone cosmetic finish. It would be
fair to cater for two cosmetic
prostheses replaced every 10 years, since he will only use it on
certain occasions and not full-time.
51.7
His greatest challenge in public is vulnerability, and that he does
not look like an easy target.
51.8
Due to the changes in the stump, it is normal to refit both these
prostheses once in a 10-year cycle. He
would need 2 silicone
suspension liners initially and one replaced annually. 8 hours must
be allowed per annum for routine maintenance
and prosthetic socket
tweaking. The cosmetic hand and glove will be replaced during
fitting.
[52]
According to Mr. Brand the cost of a primary and secondary prosthesis
is R385,007.12 each. A
refit will cost R256,312 per prosthesis and
skincare kits, and maintenance will cost R9,063 and R21,144 per
annum, respectively.
[53]
In the joint minute, Mr. Rossouw agreed that early fitting of a ME
prosthesis would have been
beneficial. However, he went on to say
that the ME prosthesis, which he recommended, specifically the
dynamic arm with vary speed
hand, controlled by single electrode and
linear potentiometer harness pull switch, features remarkably simple
and intuitive operation.
[54]
Mr. Brand did not take issue with the abandonment rate statistic of
50%, however, he noted that
it is essential to consider that the
plaintiff may fall with and the percentage of individuals who
successfully adapt to and benefit
from a ME prosthesis. In his view,
it would be prudent to give the plaintiff the benefit of the doubt.
[55]
Mr. Brand’s view is that it is crucial to prioritise the
plaintiff’s potential for
future improvements and adaptation,
rather than solely relying on its current adaptation. A ME prosthesis
can offer a new dimensional
functionality, which may lead to notable
improvements in his overall quality of life.
[56]
In considering Mr. Brand's contention that the plaintiff's greatest
challenge in public is vulnerability
and that he does not look like
an easy target, Mr. Rossouw noted that the natural-looking appearance
of the ME prosthesis when
used with a skin-toned glove addresses such
concern.
[57]
Mr. Brand noted that the dual approach would address the plaintiff's
current needs as a relatively
young and economically active
individual, providing him with the necessary tools to navigate
various situations confidently. The
combination of functional and
cosmetic prostheses would cater to his physical, emotional and social
well-being. He concluded by
noting that Mr. Brand’s approach
may be more suitable for the plaintiff’s later years, a dual
approach at this stage
would be beneficial in addressing his
immediate and long-term needs.
[58]
It is unfortunate that the plaintiff was never called to give
evidence as to why he needs the
ME prosthesis to complete the tasks
of daily living and whether he would, in fact, use the arm if
allowance were to be made for
it. It is clear that the plaintiff has
learnt to adapt to one arm and that his sound limb has become his
dominant limb.
[59]
After carefully considered the evidence of the respective experts,
weighing up the benefits and
utility of the ME prosthesis against the
costs thereof, and taking into account the fact that the possibility
exists that the plaintiff
may indeed use the ME prosthesis, I will
make provision for the primary and secondary prosthesis (combined or
dual approach)
[16]
,
but intend to apply a higher contingency of 30%, because of the
factors set out above, the plaintiff’s age and the fact
that he
is no longer employed.
[60]
The actuarial calculation by Mr. Boshof in respect of the cost of the
prostheses based on the
dual or combined approach, is a total amount
of R
8,778,170.
The amount awarded is R3,072,360.
[17]
[61]
Regarding other medical expenses, it appears to be a common cause
that Mr. Mboyo-Iyuma will require
the future medical expenses
provided for by the orthopaedic surgeons in items 1 and 2 of Annexure
A. I am satisfied that these
expenses are both necessary and
reasonable and will make provision, therefore, in a total amount of
R28,720.
[18]
[62]
Concerning the future medical expenses provided for by the OTs, and
on a consideration of the
evidence presented in respect of items 3 to
21, and considering that provision has been made for the ME arm, I
intend to make allowance
for items 3, 5, 7, 18, 20 and 21. A
contingency of 15% will be applied to these expenses. The total
amount is R128,758.
[19]
[63]
The total amount to be awarded for future medical expenses is
accordingly R3,229,838.
[64]
No evidence was presented in respect of the plaintiff’s past
medical expenses, nor were
these expenses dealt with in argument by
either the plaintiff or defendant, and I accordingly do not intend to
make any award under
this head of damages.
COSTS
[65]
The plaintiff is entitled to his party and party costs. In my view,
the appropriate scale for
the costs of counsel, considering the
issues which fell to be determined and the complexity of the matter,
is Scale B.
ORDER
[66]
The following order shall issue:
1.
The defendant shall pay to the plaintiff through the plaintiff’s
attorney, the sum of R5,475,318.
2.
The defendant shall pay the plaintiff’s party and party costs
and counsel’s
taxed
or agreed fees on the B scale.
3.
The Defendant shall pay the qualifying expenses and reasonable and
necessary fees and disbursements of the following expert witnesses:
3.1
Dr J Sagor
3.2
Mr E Rossouw
3.3
Ms M Le Roux
3.4
Ms K Kotze.
M
Holderness
Judge
of the High Court
Western
Cape Division
For
the Plaintiff:
Adv A Laubscher
Instructed
by:
Ms N Stockdale
Adendorff Attorneys
For
the Defendant:
Adv K Masupye
Instructed
by:
Ms L José
Jose Associates
[1]
2018 (4) SA 366
(SCA)
(BEE) at paras 64 to 66.
[2]
These earnings are
commensurate with the Minimum Wage for Code 14 Drivers. As per the
attached NBCRFLI Circular to Industry, this
is presented as R3
322-06 and thus R172 614-23 p/annum.
[3]
1984
(1) SA 98
(A) at 113 G-H.
Bailey
At
119D-H
,
as cited with approval in
NK
obo ZK
at
para 15.
[4]
Bailey
at
116H-117A.
[5]
Singh
& another v Ebrahim
(413/09)
[2010]
ZASCA 145
(26
November 2010); 2010 JDR 1431 (SCA).
[6]
P
M
obo TM v MEC
at
para 51
.
[7]
Per
Holmes
JA in
Legal
Assurance Co Ltd v Botes
1963
(1) SA 608
(A)
at
614F;
Bailey
at
p116.
[8]
See
Van
der Plaats v South African Mutual Fire and General Insurance Co
Ltd
1980
(3) SA 105 (A)
at
114 – 5 as cited in
Bailey
at
116.
[9]
2019
(2) SA 233
(SCA) at para 30
.
[10]
Road
Accident Fund v Kerridge
2019
(2) SA 233
(SCA) at para 30;
Esso
Standard SA (Pty) Ltd v Katz
1981
(1) SA 964 (A
).
[11]
Bailey
at
p116.
[12]
R2,990,960.00 x .5 = R1,495,480.
[13]
They
are in fact expert orthotists and prosthetists. For the sake of
brevity, I shall refer to them as the prosthetists.
[14]
Mogano
v Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa
(2013/43052)
[2023] ZAGPJHC 1069 (26 September 2023) at para 34.
[15]
The
Quantum of Damages in Bodily and Fatal Injury Cases:
2024
revision service by Potgieter C, Corbett MM, Gauntlett JJ, Buchanan
JP, Honey DP, Corbett P, Potgieter C and Daffue J 2024.
[16]
As
per Annexure A of the Munro report (Exhibit ‘F’)–
Items 33 to 40 (Annexure A).
[17]
50% of R
8,778,170
= R4,389,085 x .70 = R3,072,360.
[18]
R57,440
x 0.5 = R28,720.
[19]
R302,960
x .50 = R151,480 x .85 = R128,758.
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make_database footer start
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