Case Law[2025] ZAGPJHC 341South Africa
Kupa v Road Accident Fund (18554/2021) [2025] ZAGPJHC 341 (26 March 2025)
High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Johannesburg)
26 March 2025
Judgment
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# South Africa: South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg
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## Kupa v Road Accident Fund (18554/2021) [2025] ZAGPJHC 341 (26 March 2025)
Kupa v Road Accident Fund (18554/2021) [2025] ZAGPJHC 341 (26 March 2025)
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REPUBLIC
OF SOUTH AFRICA
IN
THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
GAUTENG
DIVISION, JOHANNESBURG
CASE
NO: 18554/2021
(1)
REPORTABLE: NO
(2)
OF INTEREST TO OTHER JUDGES: NO
(3)
REVISED: NO
26
MARCH 2025
In the matter between:
KUPA:
MOCHADIBANA NAPYADI
Plaintiff
and
ROAD ACCIDENT
FUND
Defendant
JUDGMENT
Delivered:
This judgment was prepared and authored by the Judge whose name is
reflected and is handed down electronically by circulation
to the
parties/their legal representatives by e-mail and by uploading it to
the electronic file of this matter on CaseLines. The
date for
hand-down is deemed to be10h00 on 26 March 2025.
MALUNGANA AJ
Introduction
[1]
Plaintiff, a 28 year old female BCom Accounting graduate, seeks to
recover damages from the defendant,
for injuries which she suffered
arising out of a motor vehicle collision. On 9 December 2017
plaintiff was traveling as a passenger
with other members of her
family from Venda to Gauteng Province, when she was injured in a
collision. Sadly all other members,
her father, aunt and one of her
siblings died in the said accident.
[2]
As a result of the aforesaid collision, plaintiff suffered severe
neurological and orthopaedic
injuries, comprising of:
(a)
A head injury with severe brain injury, severe traumatic
neuropsychological disfunction;
vestibular disfunction and insomnia;
(b)
Facial injury with scarring;
(c)
Left hemi pelvic fracture, with chronic pelvic pains,
(d)
Right Tib-Fib fracture with weakness of the right leg;
(e)
Left lung contusion;
(f)
Right Tib-Fib fracture with gait and station disorder;
(g)
Solitary rib fracture.
[3]
The nature and extent of these injuries are set out in various
medico-legal reports tendered in
evidence, and are not in dispute.
However, there is a dispute as to whether the
sequalae
of the
injuries have resulted in the plaintiff being unable to reach her
career path of attaining a doctorate degree or pursued
a career as a
certified chartered accountant.
Issues
[4]
The merits and other subhead of damages have been settled, save for
loss of earnings incurred
by the plaintiff. I am therefore required
to adjudicate the question of the plaintiff’s loss of earnings.
The
Loss of Earnings Claim
[5]
In the particulars of claim, the plaintiff’s
claim for loss earnings is formulated as follows:
“
10.4
Loss
of earnings/loss of income/loss of earning
capacity and or
employability:
R12 000 000.00
The above is an estimate based on:
10.4.1 At the time of the accident
Plaintiff was doing her second year towards a Bachelor. Of Commerce
in accounting at University
of Johannesburg and had a career choice
of becoming an accountant;
10.4.2 Before the accident, and more
particularly, in December 2017, she passed her six subjects with
distinctions;
10.4.3 Post accident, she is failing
at school and or performing poorly. She had to repeat courses and
could not finish her degree
in record time;
10.4.4 The injuries have interfered
with the Plaintiff’s choice of education and or academic
achievement or career development;
10..4.5 In 2020 Plaintiff enrolled for
Honours in accounting with Stellenbosch university and is currently
repeating the same year;
10.4.6 It is evident that Plaintiff
will never reach her premorbid education potential and may only be
limited to clerical/administrative
work at best and or unemployable
at worst.
10.4.7 The injuries have interfered
with the Plaintiff future earnings, and or earning capacity,
promotion, salary increment, working
lifespan and or bonuses;
10.4.8 The injuries have rendered the
Plaintiffs unemployable in an open market.”
The
Evidence
[6]
In a trial that spanned for almost 7 (seven) days, the plaintiff
relied upon the evidence of her
expert witnesses, while the defendant
did not file any expert report nor led any evidence. Advocate Makopo
appeared for the plaintiff,
while Advocate Mahlangu appeared for the
defendant. The parties were
ad idem
that the oral testimony of
the undermentioned witnesses would be sufficient for the disposal of
the issue the Court is seized with.
[7]
Dr Samuel Mpotoane, a neurosurgeon, was the
first witness called to testify by the plaintiff. He prepared
a
comprehensive medico-legal report as well as the addendum thereof. He
described the plaintiff’s physical injuries as follows:
She was
brought to the hospital on a stretcher with facial injury, both upper
and lower injuries, left pelvic injury, left laceration;
avulsion
wound on the scalp and forehead with exposed venous and arterial
bleeding, right fib-tib injury, blunt chest injury and
breathing
spontaneously with GAAEB. She was the only survivor in the accident,
having lost her father, sister and aunt.
[8]
The plaintiff complained of chronic headaches; memory problems and
dizziness. She struggles with
post traumatic anxiety and has socially
withdrawn. He noted in his addendum report of June 2024, that the
plaintiff had completed
her honours degree in 2020, is currently
employed by RMB since July 2023 where she earns a salary of
R10 300.00 per month.
[9]
Dr Mpotoane concluded that, given all the relevant factors outlined
in his report, more especially
severe traumatic brain injury and
other injuries, the plaintiff reached a period of maximum medical
improvement, and no further
clinical improvement will be expected.
There is about 10-20% of her developing epilepsy. The plaintiff’s
life expectancy
was not affected by the accident.
[10]
Nothing significant came out of the witness’ cross examination
. He was asked about the severity of
the brain injury in view of the
Glass Coma Scale of 15/15 as recorded by the hospital. His response
was that the GCS is not the
only measure for the determination of the
severity of the brain injury or prolonged level of unconsciousness.
There are other factors
to be considered in the determination.
[11]
Dr Ingrid Jonker, a neuropsychologist, testified about the
neuropsychological impact the accident had
had on the plaintiff.
According to the test conducted on the plaintiff she displayed a lack
of concentration. She presented with
a mental processing speed
deficits.
[12]
Dr Ingrid Jonker, had these to say about the plaintiff’s
employment history:
(a) The plaintiff was in a one
year internship programme at RMB from July 2023 to June 2024. Due to
financial constraints
the business could not extend her contract.
(b) Her responsibilities at RMB
entailed authorizing trades, cash predictions, reports, removals ,
allotments as well as repairing
trades.
(c) She reported to Dr Jonker
that she had experienced a lot of anxiety at work. She also told him
that she had to make notes
frequently in order to remind herself of
things and had checked her work constantly. She has been
unsuccessfully in finding another
job in the accounting and financial
sector.
[13]
As regards treatment, the plaintiff has been taking the following
medication. Two Mybulen tablets for treatment
of headaches post
accident once a week; Urbanos as well as Ativan, anxiolytic
medication; on a regular basis for treatment of anxiety
since 2023
and; Trapline, a tricyclic anti-depressant, since 2023.
[14]
Dr Jonker stated that the plaintiff has developed
withdrawal tendencies, which makes it difficult for her
to attract a
romantic partner. She had been in a romantic relationship during the
accident, and became detached after the accident.
She is conscious of
the scarring on her face.
[15]
Her mind remains more sluggish and she continuous
to experience some mental slowing. She is not efficient
with planning
or when multi-tasking.
[16]
She experiences headaches around once a week;
discomfort and sensitivity to her left hip which has become
aggravated when standing or walking for extended periods. She
experiences pains in her lower right leg in inclement weather or
when
walking for a long distances. She struggles to run or kneel properly.
She suffers from itchiness to her facial scarring especially
in hot
weather.
[17]
Dr Jonker concluded that the plaintiff suffers
from chronic symptoms of a depressive disorder, anxiety and
features
of a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a result of the accident on 09
December 2017.
[18]
Dr Jonker further stated in her addendum report, at paragraph
10.7.4.5 that:
“
The
neuropsychological re-assessment provided evidence that Ms Kupa has
been experiencing ongoing cognitive challenges, especially
in the
domains of concentration; attention; rote verbal, narrative and
virtual memory, visuospatial planning and construction,
as well as
mental processing speed. These cognive problems are expected to
compromise her future performances and competitiveness
in the open
labour market. In this regard, her concentration difficulties are
expected top result in inconsistent performances
as well as in
difficulties in effectively sustain her work pace.”
[19]
Dr Joseph Seabi, the Educational Psychologist, also gave evidence on
behalf of the plaintiff. He testified
that he was not aware that the
plaintiff failed her grade 10 when he did his initial report.
However, in 2015, the plaintiff managed
to pass grade 12 with an
exemption, after which she enrolled for a BCom general degree at the
University of Johannesburg. In her
second year she developed an
interest in becoming a chartered accountant. She then enrolled for
BCom Accounting degree and passed
all modules with 6 distinctions.
[20]
Post accident, the plaintiff started to experience deterioration in
her academic performance. She failed
most of her modules, and only
managed to pass them through supplementary examinations with 50 and
60s marks. Dr Seabi testified
that the plaintiff had to convert her
studies to be able to pass. Albeit with deteriorated performance, the
plaintiff managed to
pass all her modules in 2019. She then enrolled
for one year full time Honours degree in 2020 at the University of
Stellenbosch.
She failed about 5 modules and only managed to pass in
2023 after repeating some modules three times. She reported to Dr
Seabi
that she has found studying more effortful and strenuous post
the accident due to pain and emotional instability. She had developed
flashbacks and she worries why all the people in the car had died and
she survived.
[21]
It was Dr Seabi’s testimony that the plaintiff is emotionally
drained and feels worthless. She presented
with physical weakness,
emotionally depressed with anxiety disorder. She has memory and
concertation difficulties as set out in
page 36 of his updated
report. He postulated that the plaintiff would have attained a
doctorate degree, but for the accident. The
scars on her face have
deprived her of the lifestyle. She will struggle to complete a
Master’s degree like she did with Honours.
Bearing in mind that
during her Honours degree she was not working, so her work demands
will exacerbate the situation. Her IQ remains
very low while there is
an improvement in her emotional state. However, hopelessness remains
a problem She has high level of depression
and anxiety. He postulates
that her high level of education will remain with Honours degree,
nothing beyond. Repeated failing,
Dr Seabi opines, leads to low
academic self -esteem.
[22]
During cross examination, Dr Seabi testified that he was not in
possession of the plaintiff’ school
reports when he compiled
his report. He conceded that she failed grade 10, but said it was
because of English. He said one does
not have to look at a single
factor to determine if one is a bright student. It is a composite of
factors. Her cognitive ability
remains a major problem, it has
deteriorated. The plaintiff would have progressed to ‘ NQF 10
level’ post accident,
equivalent of Doctorate degree. .
[23]
Dr Seabi states in paragraph 11.6.8 of his report
that: “On the basis of the available information,
it is
estimated that Moachadibana ‘s pre-morbid intellectual ability
was within the Superior range, which is consistent with
functioning
at a level where she could have progressed through her tertiary
studies and obtained a Doctorate Degree (NQF level
10), considering
that it is well documented in recent studies that children are
achieving better qualifications than their parents,
and in view of
her diligence, motivation, commitment, perseverance, and dedication
towards the academic project.”
[24]
Ms Clara Shivambu, the occupational therapist was also called to
testify for the plaintiff. Her testimony
was to the effect that the
plaintiff was terrified to drive due to trauma. She prefers to be
alone most of the time. She requires
a great deal of therapy to be
able to cope with day to day life. She has neurological dysfunction
and delayed memory as well as
attention deficit. She easily forgets
stuff and takes longer to perform tasks. Her initial plans were to
become a CA (Chartered
Accountant). Her managers and co-employees
will not recognize her potential, because she prefers to be alone.
She will be more
suited to work in a structed environment. A
prospective employer would have to be more sympathetic and be able to
understand her.
She will requires psychological support to be able to
cope functionally.
[25]
Ms Mhlanga asked Ms Shivambu if she was in
possession of the plaintiff’s academic record during the
medico
examination. Her response was that no one had same. She stated that
the plaintiff’s career choice falls within sedentary
to light
work. She confirmed that the plaintiff’s ambition was to become
a Chartered Accountant. Her overall quality of life
has been affected
by the accident.
[26]
Ms Shivambu, however, conceded that the plaintiff did not require a
doctorate degree to be a CA. She stated
that she relied on the
opinion of the educational phycologist when it comes to the
plaintiff’s academic progression. She
nevertheless, opines that
the plaintiff requires a cognitive rehabilitation to prevent further
deterioration.
[27]
Dr Talia Talmud, the industrial psychologist, postulated that the
plaintiff’s completion of the B Com
Honours degree should not
be equated to successful performance in the open labour market as
studies can be mastered at the individual’s
own pace with
ongoing repetition, which is not a luxury afforded in a working
environment. She opines that the plaintiff’s
cognitive
challenges are more likely to compromise her future performances and
competitiveness in the open labour market, The plaintiff’s
concentration difficulties will result in inconsistent performances
as well as difficulties in effectively sustaining her work
pace. She
will struggle with complex tasks and other work demands. She will be
susceptible to fatigue and mental exhaustion.
[28]
Dr Talmud further opines that, the plaintiff’s ongoing
depression, low levels of drive, low frustration
tolerance as well as
her fatigability will likely render her less resilient and less
competitive in the open labour market. It
is her view that due to
cognitive difficulties, concentration lapses, difficulties in
retrieval of information; which serve as
additional barrier;
emotional trauma, and travel related anxiety incurred due to the
sequelae of the injuries, her highest level
of education would in all
likelihood remain an Honours degree (NQF8), which evidently has taken
her 4 years, beyond record time.
[29]
She concludes that, from neuroeducational perspective, the plaintiff
suffered a severe traumatic brain injury
with severe
neuropsychological dysfunction, vestibular dysfunction, and sleep
arouser disorder. She would not be able to reach
her academic
potential that of a doctorate, and achieve her career dream of
certified chattered accountant. Her injuries have resulted
in a
significant future loss of earnings. She requires a
sympathetic/accommodative employment. Her collective limitations have
significantly and permanently curtailed her ability to compete for
lucrative employment and to maintain employment relevant to
her
educational background. The plaintiff will be limited to securing
temporary/contract type positions of a lower semi-skilled
nature in
the open labour market.
[30]
Under cross examination, she testified that the documents which she
referred to are all in her reports. She
postulated that based on the
plaintiff’s scholiastic history contained in the educational
psychologist’s report, the
plaintiff had a potential to pursue
a doctorate degree or become a chartered accountant at NFQ 10 level.
She now has a residual
earning capacity at a lower skilled level.
Currently she battles to get interviews.
Submissions
[31]
Counsel for the plaintiff submitted that the
defendant did not contest the reports of Dr Breytenbach, the
orthopaedic surgeon, and Dr Miller, the psychiatrist, whose reports I
am urged to have regard to. She submitted that Dr Breytenbach
came to
the conclusion that the plaintiff will have restrictions in physical
activities and some deficiency in mobilisation, while
Dr Miler opines
that the plaintiff would benefit from being referred to a
psychiatrist for psychotropic medication to treat her
depression,
anxiety, panic disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In
regard to the acceptance of the expert’s
opinion, counsel for
the plaintiff referred me to the case of
PriceWaterhouseCoopersinc
v National Potato Co OP
2015 ZASCA 2
in which the Court had this
to say:
“
Opinion evidence is admissible
“when the Court can receive “appreciate help” from
that witness on the particular
issue. “That will be when:
‘…
by reason of their
special knowledge and skill, they are better qualified to draw
inference than the trier of fact. There are some
subjects upon which
the Court is usually quite incapable of forming an opinion
unassisted, and others upon which it could come
to some sort of
independent conclusion, but the help of an expert would be useful.”
I cannot agree more with the approach
and principles enunciated in
the cited authority.
[32]
The defendant’s counsel on the other hand,
submitted that the plaintiff’s educational psychologist
conceded that he was not in possession of the primary and high school
reports, and only had the plaintiff’s matric and university
transcripts. In this regard Ms. Mhlanga argued that the said expert’s
findings and conclusions were inadequate to determine
the plaintiff’s
learning journey. Moreover, she argued, the plaintiff repeated grade
10, and the educational psychologist
ought not to have placed the
plaintiff at high average without the relevant school reports. The
questions raised by the defendant
were eloquently dealt with by Dr
Seabi, when he stated that he had regard to various factors before
coming to the conclusion that
the plaintiff possessed the necessary
potential to pursue a PHD degree pre accident.
Discussion
[33]
The plaintiff reported to the industrial psychologist, Ms Talmud that
her main concern was her anxiety, which
has affected her
interpersonal skills which in turn has affected academic performance
negatively. These challenges continue to
affect her interaction at
her current workplace. She does not engage in any social interaction
at work and she limits her interaction
with her manager. Her career
choice is limited to sedentary to light physical demand level.
[34]
It is postulated that the plaintiff would most likely have been able
to achieve a doctoral degree (NQF Level
10) pre-morbidly. She
reported to the Industrial psychologist and other experts that her
pre-morbid aspiration was to become a
chartered management accountant
(CMA). According to Talmud, she did a desktop research on the
plaintiff’s postulated career
path. Given the fact that the
plaintiff had completed a BCom Hons Management Accounting degree, she
could have proceeded to complete
a CIMA approved -programmed as shown
in paras 6.2-63 of her addendum report.
[35]
It is postulated that her pre-morbid career scenario will prevail in
respect of the plaintiff’s loss
of earnings. According to the
educational psychologist her cognitive difficulties have worsened and
are likely deemed permanent.
The findings made by the psychiatrist,
neuropsychologists as per their initial reports remain unchanged. The
neuropsychologist
noted that the plaintiff is struggling and relies
on the psychotherapeutic support to cope. Her mental health is likely
to deteriorate.
[36]
According to the occupational therapist, her physical decline is
likely to persist due to ongoing pain limitations.
[37]
I hold that that no proper case has been made by the defendant for me
to ignore the evidence of the experts
who testified before me. The
evidence of the witnesses called by the plaintiff was clear and
convincing. It was not disturbed or
rebutted under cross examination.
I find myself unable to align with Ms Mhlanga’ submission that
the mere absence or omission
of other documents when assessing the
plaintiff’s scholastic performance renders their evidence
unreliable. In my view that
is not a sufficient reason for the court
to reject their credible evidence. The educational psychologist has
candidly admitted
that he was not in possession of all the school
reports of the plaintiff when he was compiling his report. However,
he explained
that it was not the only evidentiary material required
to determine the plaintiff’s academic potential, there are
other considerations
such as the plaintiff’s academic record
which he had regard to. Ms Tulamd notes in her report that it was not
even necessary
to complete a PHD to progress to roles graded at
Paterson E2. Her scholastic potential suggests that even in the
absence of completing
PHD studies, she would have been able to make
decisions at the associated level of complexity and compete for
market related earnings.
[38]
Furthermore, on the facts before me, the plaintiff has shown that she
was able to achieve a BCom Honours
degree despite the challenges she
faced, including the psychological impact emanating from the loss of
her family members in the
accident in question. I am prepared to
accept that but for the accident, the plaintiff would have seen her
future as a chartered
accountant.
[39]
Having regard to the injuries sustained by the plaintiff, the related
sequalae thereof, it is clear that
her competitiveness in the open
labour marked has now been truncated. She is neurologically and
physically handicapped. I accept
that, given the nature and extent of
her injuries, and the sequelae thereof, she is unlikely to realize
her dream as a chartered
accountant.
[40]
As in
Dippenaar v Shield Insurance Company Limited
[1979] 4
All SA 92(AD).
“the defendant must make good the difference
between the value of the plaintiff’s estate
after the commission of the delict and the value it would have had if
the delict had not been committed. The capacity to earn money
is
considered to be part of the person’s estate and the loss or
impairment of that capacity constitutes a loss, if such loss
diminishes the estate.”
[41]
I turn now to the quantification of loss of income suffered by the
plaintiff. The evidence of the industrial
psychologist, Ms Talmud,
was to the effect that after qualifying as Associate of the Chartered
Institute of Management Accountants
(ACMA) plaintiff would have been
able to increase her income in line with the market related
guaranteed annual package for positions
graded at Paterson C1. With
the accumulation of experience she would have been able to compete
for lower and executive roles, then
progressed to reach her career
ceiling in positions graded at Paterson E2.
[42]
As held in
Southern Insurance Association Ltd v Bailey
1984
(1) Sa 98(A)
, often cited in these kind of cases, “any enquiry
into damages for loss of earning capacity is of its nature
speculative
because it involves a prediction as to the future,
without the benefit of crystal balls, soothsayers, augurs, or
oracles. 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.”
[43]
In
Santam Versekeringsmaatskappy Bpk v Byleveldt
(1973 2 Sa
146
(A)) Trollip AJ makes the point (174E-F):
“
Basically, it is true, the
compensation our Courts award is also for impairment of the capacity
to earn, but generally it is measured
by reference to the loss of
earnings. Where the injured party was in normal employment at the
time he was injured and would have
continued in it but for his
incapacitation, such employment is ordinarily regarded as reflecting
his earning capacity. His loss
of earnings, actual or prospective,
is, therefore, usually taken as the true measure of the impairment of
his earning capacity.”
[44]
Returning now to the present case. The evidence
establishes that the plaintiff’s earning capacity
has been
severely compromised. Furthermore, there is evidence to the affect
that even if the plaintiff did not complete PHD she
had the potential
to progress to an associated level of complexity enabling her to earn
an income that falls within the PHD earning
brackets.
[45]
With the above said, I am I agree with the
plaintiff’s counsel, Ms Makopo, that the Court has sufficient
evidence before it upon which an actuarial calculation to determine
the plaintiff’s loss can be made, without having to defer
to a
robust, unrealistic and thumb suck approach.
[46]
As regards the assessment of contingencies
applicable to such calculation, Ms Mhlanga submitted that a higher
contingent factor should be applied. On the contrary, counsel for the
plaintiff argued that the most appropriate approach is to
apply the
proverbial 5% contingency on the past loss of earnings, and 20% on
the future loss of earnings based on the conspectus
of all the facts.
I have given consideration to their respective submissions. The less
I say the better.
[47]
Fortunately in this case the plaintiff has filed an actuarial report
by GW Jacobson. I do not have to use
a thumb suck approach.
[48]
The report by the aforesaid actuary is based on
the following relevant assumptions:
“
4.1
Past
and Future income but for the accident
4.1.1
Retirement Age
Retirement is taken at age 65
4.1.2
Income
Her income are taken as follows:
Date
Paterson
Salary adjusted to date or
Salary
Salary
Level
Current Terms
Increase
1-Jul-24
C1 LQ Basic Salary
R 265 259*
1-Oct-24
C1 LQ Basic Salary R 268 578
1-Jan-28
C1 Median Package
R
450 000
1-Jul- 41
E2 Median Package
R
1 806 240
Inflation adjusted uniform increases
have been assumed between the above levels.
*R 268 578 per annum in current
money terms.
4.1.3
Future Inflation
Her earnings would have increased
after 1.10.2024 due to the effects of inflation at the rate of 6.34%
per annum compound.
4.1.4
Pension Benefits
Pension benefits are included in the
above packages where applicable.”
[49]
The summary of the loss of income has been calculated as follows:
“
Past Loss
Value of Income but for the accident
R 58 173
5% Contingency Deduction
R 2 909
R 55 264
Value of Income having regard to
accident
R-64 481
Future Loss
Value of Income but for accident
R 19 328 844
20% Contingency Deduction
R 3 865 769
Net value of income having regard to
accident
R 15 463 975
Value of Income having regard to
accident R 2 733 329
20% Contingency
Deduction
R 546 666
Net value of income having regard to
accident
R 2 186 663
Net Future
Loss:
R 13 276 412
TOTAL NET
LOSS
R 13 211 931
This claim is however affected by the
Road Accident Fund Amendment Act 19 of 2005
. The annual loss at the
time of the accident amounted to R 263 900 per annum. This limit
was accounted for throughout the
calculations. Due to the limitation
of the losses, the loss of income reduces to the following:
Net Past Loss:
R -64 481
Net Future
Loss:
R 9 093 006
TOTAL NET LOSS:
R 9 028 525
[50]
I accept the above calculations which had taken into consideration
the approach proposed by actuary Robert
Koch appertaining to the
contingencies.
[51]
Accordingly, I make the following order in plaintiff’s favour:
Order
1. The Defendant is to pay the
Plaintiff
the sum of
R 9 028
525.00
(Nine Million Twenty Eight Thousand Five Hundred and
Twenty Five Rands)
in respect of loss or earnings
only, into the trust account of the Plaintiff’s Attorneys,
Zwelakhe Mgudlandlu Attorneys
.
Payment of the capital amount is to be made within 180 (one hundred
and eighty) days of this order failing which the Defendant
shall
become liable to pay interest
a tempore
morae
on the capital amount aforesaid
at a rate of
10,50%
per
annum from 181 (one hundred and eighty one) days after date of this
order to date of final payment.
2. The Defendant shall pay the
Plaintiff’s taxed or agreed party and party costs, such costs
to include the costs incurred
in respect of the employment of the
following expert witnesses’ reports together with their
addendum reports, appearances,
cost for settling heads of argument
and reservation fees, if any and to be proven to the taxing master:-
2.1.1 Dr
Mpotoane – Specialist Neurosurgeon
2.1.2 Dr
Jonker – Neuropsychologist
2.1.3 Dr Seabi
– Educational Psychologist
2.1.4 Ms
Sivhabu – Occupational Therapist
2.1.5 Ms
Talmud – Industrial Psychologist
2.1.6 Dr
Breytenbach – Orthopaedic Surgeon
2.1.7 Dr Miles
– Psychiatrist
2.1.8 Mr R
Immelmann - Gerald Jacobson Actuaries
2.2 The costs
of counsel employed on behalf of the Plaintiff on B scale.
2.3 In the
event of these costs not being agreed, then:
2.3.2
the Plaintiff’s bill of costs will be served
on the Defendant; and
2.3.2
the taxed bill of costs will be payable within 180 (one hundred and
eighty) days
after taxation, failing which the Defendant shall become
liable to pay interest
a tempore morae
on the taxed costs aforesaid at a rate of
10,50%
per annum from 181 (one hundred and eighty-one)
days after taxation to date of final payment.
3.
The
payments referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this order shall be
made into the Plaintiff's attorneys,
Zwelakhe
Mgudlandlu Attorneys
,
trust
banking account.
NAME OF ACCOUNT:
Z[…] M[…] A[…]
BANK:
F[…] N[…] B[…]
BRANCH:
C[…] C[…]
ACCOUNT NO:
6[…]
REFERENCE:
Z[…]
EMAIL:
M[…]
4. The Defendant is to furnish
the Plaintiff with an Undertaking in terms of Section 17(4)(a) of the
Road Accident Fund Act,
Act No 56 of 1996 within 30days, in respect
of injuries sustained by the Plaintiff in a motor vehicle collision
which occurred
on
09
th
December 2017
.
MALUNGANA
ACTING JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT
JOHANNESBURG
Heard
on
: 23 October -07 November 2024
Delivered
on
: 26 March 2025
For
the Plaintiff: Adv. N Makopo
instructed
by: Zwelakhe Mgudlandlu Attorneys
For
the Defendant: Ms Mahlanga
instructed
by: State Attorney, Johannesburg.
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