Case Law[2023] ZAGPJHC 950South Africa
Ngcobo v Oelofse (22236/2013) [2023] ZAGPJHC 950; 2024 (1) SA 233 (GJ) (24 August 2023)
High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Johannesburg)
26 October 2016
Headnotes
that: ‘despite the yardsticks and safeguards in the rule that have to be applied before the Court will grant an interim payment of such amount “as it thinks just”, an interim payment as provided for in the Rule has none of the characteristics of a final payment nor of a judgment as to part of a plaintiff’s claim.’
Judgment
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# South Africa: South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg
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## Ngcobo v Oelofse (22236/2013) [2023] ZAGPJHC 950; 2024 (1) SA 233 (GJ) (24 August 2023)
Ngcobo v Oelofse (22236/2013) [2023] ZAGPJHC 950; 2024 (1) SA 233 (GJ) (24 August 2023)
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sino date 24 August 2023
IN THE HIGH COURT OF
SOUTH AFRICA
GAUTENG LOCAL
DIVISION, JOHANNESBURG
Case
number: 22236/2013
NOT REPORTABLE
NOT OF INTEREST TO OTHER
JUDGES
NOT REVISED
24.08.23
In
the matter between:
SIBONGILE
THULUSILE NGCOBO
Applicant
and
DR
L.F. OELOFSE
Respondent
In re
SIBONGILE
THULUSILE NGCOBO
Plaintiff
and
DR.
D.P. MASEKO – MAGONGO
First
Defendant
DR
L.F. OELOFSE
Second
Defendant
JUDGMENT
FORD, AJ
Introduction
[1]
This is an application for an interim
payment, as provided for in Rule 34A of the Uniform Rules of Court.
[2]
The application comes pursuant to a first
interim payment made to the applicant in August 2019, the merits
having been resolved,
in a judgment, in October 2016.
[3]
The applicant contends that she is entitled
to a further interim payment, as provided for in the relevant Rule,
whereas the respondent
challenges the basis for the entitlement and
the relief sought in respect thereof.
Purpose
of the application
[4]
As stated above, the merits in the main
action was resolved in a judgment in October 2016. A first
interim payment of R 350 000.00
was made to the applicant in
August 2019.
[5]
The applicant contends that:
5.1.
she has been unemployed since 2020;
5.2.
has no income;
5.3.
has depleted the first interim payment and
all other resources available to her;
5.4.
her medical aid has been suspended for
non-payment of premiums; and
5.5.
the trial date is unlikely to be set down
on a date before 2024.
[6]
In light of the above, the applicant brings
this application for a second interim payment in the sum of R
650 000.00.
Brief factual matrix
[7]
The applicant is the plaintiff in the main
action and sues the first and second defendants herein for damages
arising from injuries
she sustained during a surgical procedure on
her cervical spine on 3 August 2010. She suffered a plunge injury to
her spinal cord
when a surgical instrument penetrated her spinal
cord.
[8]
Following
the surgical procedure, the applicant awoke paralysed.
[1]
She
was unable to move her legs, and was unable to lift her hands above
elbow level. The first defendant arranged for her to receive
rehabilitative treatment, and after nearly a month in hospital, the
plaintiff was able to walk out of the hospital with the aid
of
crutches.
[9]
She
continued to recover at home but lost her job as a consequence of
taking two months sick leave following her injury.
[2]
She
thereafter managed to secure work with Adv. M. Khoza SC (“Khoza”)
as a typist and assistant in his practice, starting
in February
2011.
[3]
Khoza
retrenched the applicant effective in January 2020
[4]
and
she has been unemployed since February 2020 (a period of nearly three
years).
[10]
The applicant has an adult daughter, a
minor son aged 9 years, and is separated from her partner.
[11]
Following the injury, the applicant was
diagnosed with Brown Sequard Syndrome. A syndrome that affects a
patient in such a way that
she loses sensation on one side of the
body and suffers a loss of power or strength on the other side. The
applicant manifested
these symptoms, as well as consequential
psychological overlay of symptoms. The applicant has suffered
relapses or regressions
in her functionality in 2011, 2015 and 2019
and is required to take Lyrica and Neurobion chronically.
[12]
The
summons in this matter was issued in June 2013
[5]
and
has been running for almost ten years.
[13]
The
trial on the question of liability proceeded in August 2016, and
judgment in favour of the applicant was handed down on 26 October
2016.
[6]
The
first and second defendants were found jointly and severally liable.
The first defendant did not defend the matter and subsequently
moved
to Eswatini. The second defendant (the respondent herein) joined the
first defendant as a third party
[7]
.
[14]
On
1 August 2019, following a discussion between the parties, the
respondent offered the applicant an interim payment of
R350 000.00
[8]
, which was
accepted by the applicant.
[9]
There
was no formal application, nor a Court order in respect thereof.
[15]
The interim payment was made three years
ago, and the present application is for a second interim
payment.
[16]
Most of the expert reports and joint
minutes have been filed. However, there are reports and minutes still
outstanding at this time.
In addition, so it was argued, the parties
would need to hold a pre-trial conference, and then apply for a trial
date of long duration.
By current estimations, according to Ms.
Munro, it is unlikely that this matter will come to trial before
2024.
[17]
The matter has been hard fought, with two
opposed applications, and multiple exchanges of Rule 35(3) notices.
The papers in the
matter are in excess of 3800 pages uploaded.
[18]
The
applicant contends that she has run out of money, and her medical aid
has been suspended effective July 2021
[10]
.
The applicant’s attorneys have also made numerous requests for
a second interim payment by way of various correspondences,
all of
which were declined.
[19]
In
the last letter to the respondent, dated 20 June 2022, in which she
requested a second interim payment, the applicant provided
a
substantive description of how the first interim payment was
expended, and set out the basis of the request for the second interim
payment.
[11]
The
respondent however declined the request for the second interim
payment,
[12]
giving
rise to this application, launched on 9 September 2022.
[13]
[20]
The first interim payment was made for R
350 000.00 and the second interim payment has been requested in
the sum of R 650 000.00.
If awarded, this would bring the total
of interim payments to R1 million.
[21]
The defendant opposes the application and
has not made any counter-offer for a second interim payment
whatsoever.
The applicant’s
arguments
[22]
It was argued, by Ms. Munro, on behalf of
the applicant that, that in terms of Rule 34 A (1), (4) and (5), a
litigant is entitled
to an interim order for damages, provided that
liability has been admitted in writing or judgment has been obtained,
and the defendant
has insurance or has the means to pay.
[23]
The applicant contends that she has
established her entitlement to an interim payment, as liability has
been determined in a judgment
in October 2016, and the respondent is
insured. Further that the respondent does not deny the ability to
pay.
[24]
An interim payment does not have the
characteristics of a final payment nor of judgment as to part of a
plaintiff’s claim.
Accordingly, it was submitted that, such an
award can be made on a robust approach, “
which
does not exceed a reasonable proportion of the damages which in the
opinion of the court are likely to be recovered by the
plaintiff
taking into account any contributory negligence, set off or
counterclaim”
(Rule 34 A (4))
[25]
Ms.
Munro relied on a decision in
Fair
vs S A Eagle Insurance Co Ltd
[14]
,
for advancing the applicant’s case, where the Court,
per Jennet J, held, that:
‘
despite
the yardsticks and safeguards in the rule that have to be applied
before the Court will grant an interim payment of such
amount “
as
it thinks just”
, an interim
payment as provided for in the Rule has none of the characteristics
of a final payment nor of a judgment as to
part of a
plaintiff’s claim.’
[26]
It
was submitted that an interim payment can be made against the claims
in respect of special damages (i.e. including past and future
loss of
income and past and future loss of earnings, but excluding general
damages for pain and suffering). Further that in other
delictual
matters, the applicant is entitled in accordance with Rule 34A, and
the case law, to make a claim in respect of both
past and future
claims for special damages.
In
this regard, I was directed to
Karparkis
v Mutual and Federal Insurance Co Ltd
[15]
,
where Lichtenberg J, held at page 500 I – J, as follows:
“
Subrule
(1) makes no mention of either past of future medical costs and loss
of ‘income’, nor, for that matter , does
it add the
qualifications that these costs must be ‘present costs’
or that the interim payment can only be granted
‘after these
costs have been incurred’ In view of the clear reading of
subrule (4) , namely that
‘
the
Court may, if it deems fit,…order the respondent to make an
interim payment of such amount as it thinks just’
(my
italics), it is abundantly clear that the Court’s discretion is
not fettered in any way by the impending or restricting
implications
which Mr Claasen says must be read into the Rule. The only
restrictions to which an interim payment is subject are
the ones
contained in the Rule itself, and these do not prohibit an interim
payment to relate to future medical costs and future
loss of
earnings.”
[27]
It
was argued that a litigant may bring more than one application for an
interim payment as was the case in
Karpakis
[16]
where
the applicant in that matter was applying for a second interim
payment.
[28]
It
was further argued that a robust approach can be made in respect of
the award for the interim payment, and the amount awarded
is not
simply to tide the applicant over, but is limited only by the
discretion of the court
[17]
.
In
Karparkis
[18]
the
court held as follows:
“
It
is quite clear that the Court, when it decides to grant an interim
payment, does not in any way whatsoever quantify and assess
plaintiff’s damages in the way it would do when giving
judgment., i.e. after it has heard all the evidence touching upon
the
quantum of damages and has thereafter decided what the exact amount
of its award for damages should be. On the contrary the
Court merely
exercises a judicial discretion under subrule (40 and, having applied
certain yardsticks and safeguards mentioned
in the Rule, grants an
interim payment in ‘such an amount as it thinks just, taking
into account the criteria set out in
subrules (4) and (5).”
[29]
In response to the respondent’s
contention that the applicant is using the second interim payment to
fund her litigation,
which the applicant denies, it was argued that
the applicant has served a bill of costs on the respondent, and the
recovered funds
will be used to fund the litigation further. The
applicant concedes however that her attorneys used R87,500.00 from
the first interim
payment to pay disbursements.
[30]
Ms.
Munro submitted that an interim payment can be used to pay legal
costs. In this regard reliance was placed on what the court
said in
Karparkis:
[19]
“
Subrule
(6) can never have been intended (by the use of the words “be
paid in full to the plaintiff”) to prohibit the
plaintiff to
pay any amount of an interim payment to his attorney. If that was
what the Rules Board intended, it would most certainly
have used
language by which, as it were, ‘strings were attached’ to
the manner in which the plaintiff could spend the
money which he
receives as an interim payment.”
[31]
The only reason why the issue of R87,500.00
was raised, so it was argued, had to do with the fact that it was set
off against the
applicant’s disbursements in the case, for
which she is personally liable for, and is not in respect of this
application
for a second interim payment.
[32]
It was submitted that the applicant’s
attorneys have no intention of requesting the applicant to pay any
further legal costs
at this stage, particularly given her dire
circumstances including suspension of her medical aid, and in respect
of which her minor
son was also a beneficiary on the medical aid.
Further that, it is not only the applicant who suffers, but her minor
son as well.
Moreover, the applicant has no source of income and, day
by day, her situation becomes worse and she falls further into
arrears
with her creditors, including her landlord.
[33]
In response to the respondent’s
assertion that the first interim payment has not been accounted for,
and that there are insufficient
vouchers attached, which the
applicant denies, and the respondent’s assertion that there are
no vouchers for the application
for the second interim payment, the
applicant stated that:
33.1.
she
has fully explained how the first interim payment was used as set out
in the founding affidavit at paragraphs 44 to 59 starting
at page 14
and ending on page 21
[20]
;
33.2.
the information which has been disclosed
constitutes a full and detailed accounting of the employment of the
first interim payment
of R 350, 000.00;
33.3.
the respondent’s complaint of a lack
of vouchers is without merit because there are no less than 46
invoices or vouchers attached
to the founding affidavit;
33.4.
the applicant cannot furnish vouchers for
future expenses.
[34]
It
was argued that the standard of proof in an application for an
interim payment is not the same as the standard required at trial
for
a claim for damages. Reliance was placed in this regard on a decision
in
Van
Wyk v Santam BPK
[21]
Hancke
J, held as follows:
“
Dit
moet in gedagte gehou word dat ‘n Hof op hierdie stadium slegs
‘n tussentydse vasstelling moet maak wat later selfs
gewysig
kan word en is die bewysmaatstaf nie so hoog soos wat die geval sal
wees waneer hierdie saak op verhoor sou gaan nie.”
[35]
The
basis of the applicant’s request for a further interim payment
is set out in detail at paragraphs 65 to 82, starting at
page 28 and
ending on page 32.
[22]
It
is submitted that this is a detailed exposition of the basis of the
applicant’s claim for a further interim payment. It
was further
submitted that the applicant has made out a full and proper case for
the relief sought.
[36]
In
response to the respondent’s assertions pertaining to the other
payments received, and the way in which she spent those
monies. The
applicant draws, for purposes of contesting the assertions,
inter
alia
on
the principle of
res
inter alios acta
[23]
,
and
claims
further
,
that
those assertions are irrelevant to the application. The applicant, so
it was argued, is entitled to spend her award in any
way she deems
fit. While she may have been extravagant on one or two occasions, for
example taking her family to lunch on her birthday,
there is,
according to the applicant, no pattern of reckless overspending.
[37]
It was submitted that the applicant was
earning a good salary whilst working for Khoza, and lived according
to her means. Whilst
she may not have understood the gravity of the
loss of her employment, she is certainly well aware of it now.
[38]
It was submitted further that the applicant
has been unemployed for two years and ten months and that by the time
this application
is argued, it will be three years. The amount of R
350, 000.00 was considered by the applicant’s attorneys to
be sufficient
to get the applicant to the trial date, but with the
advent of the pandemic and the delays that has caused, in conjunction
with
the fact that the respondent set up a new consultation with an
occupational therapist, which report has not yet been received, the
applicant does not believe that this matter will come to trial before
2024. By that time, so it was argued, the applicant would
have been
unemployed for 4 - 5 years.
[39]
The applicant contends that she has run out
of funds. Her medical aid has been suspended. In addition to the
interim payment, she
has used her own her savings, insurances pay
outs and retirement funding to pay her way thus far. The respondent
has demanded sight
of the applicant’s bank accounts going back
to 2004. The respondent has also demanded sight or information
relating to her
medical aid and insurance payouts. These are all
res
inter alios acta
and irrelevant to the
matter at hand
.
The
respondent cannot rely on the applicant’s medical aid ( where
she has to pay a premium of over R 7 000,00 per month)
to
compensate her for her loss which has been caused by the respondent.
[40]
Ms.
Munro referred to
Standard
General Insurance Co Ltd v Dugmore NO
[24]
and
the cases cited therein.) The principle enunciated therein is that if
the policies covering loss of income are taken out by
an employer and
form part of the benefits of employment, then the amounts are
deductible. However, if the policies and medical
aid are taken out
privately then the defendant cannot claim a deduction of these
amounts from the damages award. The defendant
cannot rely on other
insurances, paid for by the claimant, to defray their own liability
for damages. These amounts are therefore
res
inter alios acta.
[41]
In response to the respondent’s
assertion that the quantum in this matter, must still be proved at
trial, and that interim
payments cannot be made until the matter is
finalised, the applicant contended that, if it were true that the
quantum
had
to be proved at trial before an interim payment could be made, it
would render Rule 34A and interim payments nugatory. It was
submitted
that by granting an interim payment, a court does not need to assess
the damages or make any findings, the court is required
to apply its
judicial discretion to determine an award that it deems just, but is
unlikely to exceed a final award, and is rather
a reasonable
proportion of what the final award might be.
[42]
It was further submitted that, when
considering the balancing of prejudice between the parties, the
prejudice to the applicant should
she not receive a further interim
award is self-evident. She is already in dire circumstances and would
have to endure the situation
for another two years. It was further
contended that the experts are
ad idem
that the applicant requires ongoing
treatment which is now not accessible to her.
[43]
It was contended further, that the
respondent was found jointly and severally liable for the applicant’s
damages in October
2016 and that the only reason, the respondent has
not paid the damages thus far, is because the matter has not been
finalised.
It was further argued that the respondent is liable for
interest on damages from the date of demand in terms of Section 2A of
the
Prescribed Rate of Interest Act. And that, if payments for past
losses are made, the interest cease to run on the date of payment,
which would be to the advantage of the respondent.
[44]
Furthermore, so it was argued, any
potential prejudice to the respondent is mitigated by virtue of the
following:
44.1.
in terms of Rule 34(10) the interim payment
is not a “
once and for all”
payment”
. In the unlikely event
of overpayment, the respondent can request an order for repayment;
44.2.
an overpayment is unlikely since the
applicant cannot claim an interim payment against general damages.
Accordingly, the likelihood
of an overpayment being granted is
virtually nullified;
44.3.
the
past medical expenses alone, come to R 219 566,38.
[25]
44.4.
whatever is paid in terms of an interim
payment is deducted from the final award, and there will be no
duplication of payment.
[45]
It was submitted further that the prejudice
to the applicant in not receiving a further interim payment, is far
greater than any
prejudice that may be suffered by the respondent’s
insurer.
[46]
In conclusion, the applicant sets out the
basis for the amounts claimed for a second interim payment, as
follows:
[47]
The claims on the pleadings, are as
follows:
47.1.
Past Hospital and Medical Expenses: R
400 000.00
47.2.
Future Hospital, Medical and Related
Expenses: R5 731 097.00
47.3.
Past and Future Loss of Earnings:
R5 257 602.00
47.4.
General Damages for Pain and Suffering:
R 800 000.00
TOTAL R12 188 699.00.
[48]
The applicant submits that the second
application for an interim award of R 650 000,00 will bring the
total of the two interim
awards to R 1 million, which would be
deducted from the final award.
[49]
It
was submitted further that the medical records (annexures “TT56
and TT57”
[26]
to the
founding papers) describe the initial injury and the fact that the
applicant was
paralyzed
when
she awoke form surgery on 3 August 2010. It took nearly a month of
rehabilitation for her to be able to ambulate on crutches.
[50]
Further
that the psychiatrists for both parties agree, that the applicant has
developed a depressive disorder secondary to her medical
condition,
chronic pain and impaired mobility. They also agree that without a
lot of assistance she is “
not
fit to function.”
(See paragraph 69 of the founding affidavit and the reference
therein).
[27]
This is
supported by Dr. Radebe, clinical psychologist. (See paragraph 70 of
the founding affidavit and the references cited therein.)
[28]
Ms. Poswayo, physiotherapist notes that the applicant requires
ongoing treatment by a multidisciplinary team. (See paragraph 71
of
the founding affidavit and the references cited therein).
[29]
This is confirmed by the orthopaedic surgeons for both parties. (See
paragraph 72 of the founding application and the references
cited
therein.)
[30]
[51]
The
applicant’s future loss of medical expenses, and past and
future loss of earnings have been actuarially calculated according
to
the expert reports filed on behalf of the plaintiff. The future
medical expenses and past and future loss of earnings comes
to R
10 988 699,00. (See paragraphs 73 to 74 of the founding
application and references cited therein.)
[31]
[52]
The
applicant’s monthly living expenses which would be paid from
her claim for loss of earnings is set out in an amount of
R 20 632.00
for the basics, which is R247 584.00 per annum. (See paragraphs
77 to 78 of the founding papers and the refences
cited therein.)
[32]
[53]
It was argued that the applicant has made
out her case in detail, and that the amount of R 650 000,00
(bringing the total interim
payments to R1 million) is a reasonable
proportion of the anticipated award, will not exceed the award and in
particular will not
exceed the special damages portion of the
anticipated award. Further that the applicant is entitled to an
interim payment by operation
of the law, save that this court is
vested with the discretion to determine the amount to be awarded.
[54]
It was pointed out that the respondent has
made no counter-offer and that the applicant accordingly seeks an
award for costs on
the High Court scale as between party and party.
The respondent’s
arguments
[55]
The respondent refuses to make a further
interim payment to the applicant. The reasons for such refusal, are
set out and discussed
below.
[56]
The respondent does not dispute the fact
that
the applicant
sustained a plunge injury to her spine during an operative procedure
performed by the first defendant and that the
respondent (second
defendant) has together with the first defendant been found liable
for damage flowing from such injury.
[57]
Further
that, quite aside from the fact that the applicant had a pre-existing
injury which must be taken into account in assessing
the damage of
the plunge injury, it is common cause between the parties that
the plunge injury has resulted in what is termed
a
Brown-Sequard
Syndrome
[33]
.
[58]
In
a joint minute dated 26 July 2016, the neurosurgeons agreed that the
applicant had suffered a Brown Sequard syndrome. This is
confirmed by
the applicant in her founding affidavit stating “…
there
is no doubt that that the applicant suffered what is termed a Brown
Sequard Syndrome
.”
[34]
[59]
However,
according to Dr. Osman, the neurosurgeon instructed at the instance
of the respondent, the symptoms now displayed by the
applicant is not
in keeping with a Brown Sequard Syndrome
[35]
.
[60]
This, according to
the respondent, accords with the factual evidence that the applicant
secured work in February 2011, some 5 months
after the surgery, which
may well have been sooner, had she not been dismissed from the
employment she previously enjoyed. The
applicant was thereafter able
to successfully sustain such employment up to January 2020 (a period
of nine years).
[61]
It is evident from
the above that the respondent challenges whether the loss of
employment and medical expenses incurred, by the
applicant is in
consequence of the Brown-Sequard Syndrome or some other reason (i.e.
the issue for determination is one of causation).
It is contended
that this is an issue for determination by the trial court.
[62]
That
this is so, is confirmed by the applicant in her replying affidavit
stating “
The
respondent is not satisfied that all her symptoms are as a
consequence of the instrument plunge injury into her spinal cord.
This
is an aspect which is to be canvassed at the trial…
”
[36]
[63]
The
respondent submits that this court has a discretion to be exercised
judicially upon a consideration of all the facts and that
in the
exercise of its discretion, the court will not order that an interim
payment be made in circumstances where the defendant
raises some
doubt as to the damages or as to whether the plaintiff will be able
to prove any damages
[37]
.
[64]
In addition to this,
so Mr. Patel, for the respondent argued, Rule 34A(4) expressly gives
the court a discretion whether to order
an interim payment or not
with the result that even if all the other prerequisites for an
interim payment have been proved, but
the defendant raises some doubt
as to the damages or as to whether the plaintiff will be able to
prove any damages, then no interim
payment will be ordered at all.
[65]
The respondent
contends that it has done more than raise some doubt. In the event
that the applicant fails to establish causation,
the loss of
employment (nine years after the event) and medical expenses incurred
cannot be attributed to the respondent. There
is thus a real prospect
that a further interim payment will exceed the amount of damage that
the applicant is entitled to recover
from the defendant.
[66]
It was submitted
further that, given the applicant’s alleged financial situation
and her demonstrated spending habits, the
prospect of recovering any
overpayment from her is non-existent. In the circumstances of this
case the protection afforded in terms
of subrule 10, affords no
relief to the respondent. And that on this ground alone, the
respondent argued, the application should
be dismissed with costs.
[67]
With
reference to the issue of the burden of proof in interim payment
applications, Mr. Patel referred me to
[V]..[D…obo
M[…] D…]/ MEC Eastern Cape
[38]
In
Van
Wyk v Santam Bpk
[39]
,
where the court held that the standard of proof referred to in the
jurisdictional requirements outlined in sub-rule (2) is
not as high
as it will be when the action goes on trial. The degree of evidence
required by the Court at this stage in order to
be able to direct an
interim payment will vary from case to case and according to the
circumstances of each case.
[68]
The respondent points
out that, having regard to the founding affidavit, the application
for the interim payment appears to be based
on four grounds:
68.1.
past medical
expenses;
68.2.
legal fees;
68.3.
household expenses;
and
68.4.
loans made to the
applicant by family and friends.
[69]
The above grounds are discussed below,
followed by the respondent’s contentions in respect of
good
cause
,
delay
,
requests for interim payments
,
and
vague documentary proof
.
#
# Past
Medical Expenses
Past
Medical Expenses
[70]
The past medical
expenses relied upon by the applicant for this interim payment amount
to R46 402.37. It is pointed out that
these expenses were
incurred at a time when the applicant was still on a medical scheme.
Further, that this court has not been
made privy to what expenses the
medical scheme provided cover for, and what the applicant had to bear
herself. It can however be
reasonably assumed that the bulk of the
expenses would have been covered by the medical aid scheme.
[71]
In an event, so it
was argued, such expenses would have been satisfied by the previous
interim payment, as such expenses having
been incurred prior to the
making of the first interim payment.
[72]
The respondent
contends, that the applicant asserts the fact that she was covered by
a medical scheme is
res
inter alios acta
.
It accepts that this may well be true in the main action, but that
it’s clearly relevant in an application for an interim
payment
where the applicant needs to establish a need. Moreover, the
applicant does not allege having undertaken to repay the Medical
Scheme nor that the applicant is liable to the Medical Scheme in
terms of the doctrine of subrogation.
[73]
The
respondent contends that the crux of the matter is that at this stage
neither of the parties can be certain as to what medical
accounts
relate to the Brown Sequard Syndrome. Further that the applicant does
not quantify in any detail her immediate medical
needs
[40]
.
[74]
The respondent
submitted that Rule 34A requires an applicant to set about the
“
grounds”
for the relief sought. According to the respondent, it was required
of the applicant to say more than that she was injured, that
her
medical scheme had paid for the expenses, that liability was admitted
in writing and that the respondent was able to pay.
Legal
Fees
[75]
The respondent
contends that legal costs do not constitute a basis for an interim
payment. The respondent opined that
Karpakis
is authority to the effect that the applicant may defray her legal
expenses from an interim payment, but that this
dicta
is clearly wrong. Further that it is in any event the
dicta
of a single judge in another division which this court is not obliged
to follow. Holding out that Karpakis, is merely persuasive
authority.
[76]
The respondent
submits that if the
dicta
is correct, it would lead to an untenable situation where an
applicant can bring an application for an interim payment based on
past medical expenses and loss of earnings and then to defray legal
expenses from such award. The applicant would then immediately
be
entitled to bring a further application for an interim payment based
on the same grounds on the basis that the initial interim
payment was
used to defray legal costs and that a further interim payment is
required in respect of the medical costs and loss
of earnings and so
on.
[77]
The respondent points
out, that significant portions of the costs referred to by the
applicant relate to disbursements already incurred
in the build-up to
the quantum trial and in respect of which the applicant has served a
bill of costs, subsequent to the institution
of this application.
[78]
The
respondent remains fortified that legal costs are irrelevant and has
no place in the determination of an interim payment. Further
that,
the application is intended to fund the litigation and/or for the
recovery of legal costs is evident from the confirmatory
affidavit of
the applicant stating as she does that “
I
believe that my attorney and I have made out a case for the relief
sought
.”
The only interpretation to be accorded to this sentence is that the
attorney is a party to this application
[41]
.
Household
Expenses
[79]
The
respondent contends that household expenses do not form a basis for
an interim payment under Rule 34A. The respondent notes
however, the
estimate figures are provided in respect the monthly
disbursements
[42]
. It points
out that no documentary proof is attached to support the alleged
basic monthly expenses incurred by the applicant. For
example , no
rental agreement, no electricity or water account etc. Nor is any
account taken of the applicant’s child’s
father’s
contribution to these alleged expenses. The respondent contends that
this falls short of the prescripts of the Rule.
[80]
The respondent
submits that it is noted that the alleged costs for rental and
including water and lights are reduced going forward.
It is pointed
out that the rental, electricity and water expenses that have been
incurred in the past amount to R8 150.00
per month, whilst going
forward these expenses amount to R7 000.00 per month.
Which highlights the need for documentary
proof of such expenses.
#
# Loans
from family and Friends
Loans
from family and Friends
[81]
The
applicant alleges that the interim payment will enable her to pay her
debts and loans from friends and family
[43]
.
The respondent contends that this issue finds no place in an
application for an interim payment and raised in addition, the
concern
that the applicant has failed to furnish any details of the
debts and/or the loans made to her by family and friends. Further
that
there are no confirmatory affidavits by any of these anonymous
family members or friends attached to the papers. It also begs the
question, so the respondent argues, whether the applicant intends to
use the interim payment for her monthly expenses going forward,
or
repayment of the above debts for what the Rule provides for, i.e.
medical expenses.
Good cause
[82]
The
respondent notes that this application
constitutes
a second interim payment requiring the applicant to show good cause,
more particularly how the first interim payment
was disposed of. It
argues that the way in which the first payment has been spent will,
in an application for a further interim
payment be taken into
consideration in the exercise of the court’s discretion
[44]
.
[83]
Mr. Patel submitted
that an applicant who has already received an interim payment and
applies for a further such payment should
set out what she has done
with the first payment. If she squandered the first payment by, e.g.
losing it on betting transactions
or buying an expensive motor
vehicle with it, the court to which she applies for a further interim
payment, might be very reluctant
to grant her application. Further
that, it is clear that the reasons which would motivate the court to
refuse the second interim
payment would be dependent on whether the
court considers the applicant an irresponsible spendthrift who
squanders funds
which were meant, as it were, to ‘
tide
her over’
until
her case can be tried.
[84]
The
respondent directed the court to consider how the initial
interim
payment was utilised by the applicant. To this end it was pointed out
that the initial interim payment of R350 000.00
was made on 19
August 2019 at a time when the applicant was still employed by Khoza
and whilst still belonging to a medical aid
scheme
[45]
.
Of this amount the applicant’s attorneys retained the sum of
R87 500.00 and the balance of R262 500.00 was paid
over to
the applicant on 29 August 2019. It appears that an amount of
R225 000.00 was then transferred by the applicant
into an Allan
Grey account on 11 September 2019.
[85]
Between
October 2019 and January 2020, whilst still employed by Khoza and
whilst still on a medical aid the applicant transferred
R156 537.46
from the Allan Grey Account into her FNB account leaving a balance of
R68 462.54 in the Allan Grey Account
assuming that it had a nil
balance to start with
[46]
.
[86]
The respondent
contends that these transferred amounts were used to fund a lifestyle
rather than its intended purpose i.e. payments
to Makro, Truworths,
YDE, Ackermans, Turn & Tender etc. The respondent submits that it
is not suggested that the applicant
should not purchase clothing
and/or food but that there were no payments made in respect of
medical expenses.
[87]
It contends further
that the interim payment has not been fully utilised but more
significantly what has been used, was not used
for medical expenses.
In the premises it was submitted that the applicant has failed to
establish good cause.
[88]
The respondent points
out further that on 30 September 2020, the applicant received a
significant amount of R840 731.25
into her FNB Cheque Account,
which was not disclosed to this court. This amount was
disseminated as follows:
88.1.
R450 000.00 was
transferred to the applicant’s gold card;
88.2.
R300 000.00 was
transferred to another of the applicant’s FNB accounts
annotated as household upkeep; and
88.3.
R90 731.25
was retained
[47]
.
[89]
From October 2020 to
September 2021, at a time when the applicant was unemployed, she
spent R450 000.00 i.e. an average of
R37 500.00 per month
on various items none of which related to medical expenses. The
respondent submits that if, as the applicant
avers, she is without
any funds having spent the entire amount of R840 731.25 this
monthly spending would increase to R70 061.00
per month. Further
that, what appears with startling clarity is the fact that if the
applicant is in a perilous financial situation,
as alleged, such is
of her own making.
[90]
The respondent points
out further, that it is significant to note that the first request
for the second interim payment was made
on 28 September 2020, two
days before receipt of the sum of R840 731.25. In his opinion,
so contended Mr, Patel, this smacks
of opportunism and greed.
The
delay
[91]
Touching
on the issue of delay, the respondent submits that on 11 March 2015
the respondent’s Rule 30 application was dismissed
with costs
and on 25 October 2016 the negligence issue was determined in favour
of the applicant with costs. It has taken the applicant
seven and six
years later respectively, to submit her bill of costs for these
successful proceedings
[48]
.
[92]
A
bill of costs was finally served on 20 October 2022 as per Annexure
TT59 to the replying affidavit
[49]
.
The matter was set down for the determination of quantum on 16 August
2018. The applicant removed the matter from the roll having
failed to
file expert reports. This is more than four years ago. The matter was
again set down for determination of quantum on
24 August 2020. The
respondent alleges that the applicant’s failure to disclose
that she was the director of three companies
caused the matter to be
postponed once again. All of this at additional costs to the
respondent
[50]
.
[93]
The
respondent submits that conveniently, no mention was made of these
two postponements occasioned by the applicant in her founding
affidavit. Further that, in her replying affidavit she disputes the
reasons set forth by the respondent for the postponements in
the
answering affidavit but strangely, proffers no alternate reason for
the postponements alleging that this is an issue for the
trial
court
[51]
.
[94]
According
to the respondent, these delays have resulted, in the medico-legal
reports becoming stale and the applicant has taken
no further steps
to have the matter set down. The respondent points out that the
non-production of the occupational therapist report
is no bar to
holding a pre-trial conference, at which the respondent could be
placed on terms to serve the report of the occupational
therapist.
Further that there have been no requests for a pre-trial conference
to date
[52]
.
Request
for interim payments
[95]
The
respondent submits that on 9 July 2019 the applicant requested an
interim payment of R350 000.00, which request the respondent
acceded to. Fourteen months later, and on 28 September 2020 a further
interim payment request was made by the applicant, this time
for a
further amount of R400 000.00. On that occasion, the respondent
sought certain information from the applicant more particularly
how
the first interim payment had been utilised. No response was
forthcoming from the applicant despite further correspondence
from
the respondent
[53]
.
[96]
Eight
months later, and on 8 June 2021 once again the applicant sought an
interim paym
ent
this time for an amount of R600 000.00. The same sequence of events
ensued as with the request for an interim payment of R400 000.00
[54]
.
[97]
One
year later, and on 20 June 2022 the applicant requested, for the
fourth time, an interim payment of R650 000.00 which has
led to
this application
[55]
. The
respondent contends that with each passing year the amount increases
for no apparent reason.
Lack
of documentary proof
[98]
The
respondent points out that the applicant alleges that she suffered
relapses over time requiring
hospitalisation
for “
different
reasons.
”
[56]
However, the hospital records pertaining to such admissions are not
attached to the founding affidavit. It noted however
that post the
initial discharge two hospital admission records were uploaded onto
CaseLines. The first is dated 22 December 2015.
The clinical notes
record – “
Transfer
ordered from Mulbarton ICU to Union Cardiac ICU, admitted on 17
[unclear] with hypertension and dizziness, patient wrongly
given
undiluted adrenaline to increase blood pressure. Patient arrested and
CPR performed
…”
The initial reason for the hospital admission appears to be
hypertension. The Mulbarton hospital records have not
been
uploaded
[57]
.
[99]
The
second admission is dated 30 January 2019. The applicant’s
diagnosis was an unstable angina
[58]
.
According to the respondent, the admissions for different reasons
speak for themselves.
[100]
The
respondent submits in response to the applicant’s allegation
that the father of her child is co-responsible for the financial
maintenance of her son, born in 2013, but does not state the precise
financial obligations of the father. No documentary proof
of any
agreement is annexed to the papers
[59]
.
[101]
The
applicant alleges that she has incurred medical expenses periodically
for physiotherapy, counselling, doctors and special investigations
and that she is unable to continue such due to lack of funds and
because of the suspension of her medical aid on 31 July 2021.
According to the respondent, no invoices/documentary proof is annexed
to confirm this allegation
[60]
.
[102]
The
applicant alleges that she requires ongoing therapies.
Notwithstanding the fact that the respondent contends that it does
not accept that such further treatment is necessitated by the Brown
Sequard Syndrome, the applicant does not identify
the
ongoing therapies nor the costs thereof
[61]
.
[103]
The
applicant alleges that her condition worsened and that her condition
was worse in April 2019 and that her treating doctors had
warned her
that that this was to be expected. The respondent in turn points out,
that the applicant failed to identify the treating
doctors and or to
annex any clinical notes more particularly relating to the underlying
cause of the applicant’s condition
[62]
.
[104]
The respondent
contends that the replying affidavit constitutes an opportunity
for the applicant to make good and rectify
shortcomings in the
founding affidavit, more particularly, in an application for an
interim payment, to attach the documentary
proof not attached to the
founding affidavit. Mr. Patel points out, that this opportunity was
forsaken by the applicant.
[105]
The respondent contends in conclusion that
the
Rule provides for
a
procedural
remedy to a claimant who has suffered damage in the form of medical
costs and loss of income from physical disability,
to apply for an
interim payment on account of what the plaintiff must still prove in
the action, provided the prescribed jurisdictional
facts are met.
Further that the Rule was clearly introduced to alleviate hardship
that a plaintiff may suffer pending the determination
of the main
action and that sufficient detail is required in the quantification
of the medical costs and/or loss of earnings. To
this regard,
according to the respondent, it is contemplated that the Rule
requires documentary proof.
[106]
The respondent
submits that it is obvious, that the Court, if it includes future
medical costs and future loss of earnings in an
order for interim
payment, will, in the exercise of its discretion pay heed to hazards
and contingencies and will keep future medical
costs and future loss
of earnings within such time limit to safeguard the defendant.
Further that subrule 4(b) provides that the
award for an interim
payment must not exceed a reasonable proportion of the damages which
in the opinion of the court are likely
to be recovered by the
plaintiff. It is according to the respondent impossible
in
casu
to
formulate an opinion on the damages to be awarded in light of the
dispute between the parties.
[107]
The respondent
contends that the applicant has failed to detail what medical
services are necessary in the immediate future as well
as the costs
thereof and that applications of this nature are not for the mere
asking and in respect of which it is submitted.
Further that the
respondent rightfully challenges the medical expenses incurred and to
be incurred as well as the loss of employment
and that in such
instance an interim payment cannot be ordered.
[108]
The respondent
contends further, that the applicant has failed to establish good
cause and her founding affidavit is devoid of proper
documentary
proof in respect of medical expenses (save for that covered by the
medical aid scheme), household expenses and loans
from family members
and friends. It was submitted by the respondent, if indeed, the
applicant is under financial constraints, such
situation is
self-inflicted by both overspending and inordinate delays in the
prosecution of the action and that there is clearly
no safeguard for
the respondent in the event of an overpayment.
Analysis
[109]
Rule 34A, provides in its relevant
portions, for purposes of this application, as follows:
34A. Interim payments
(1)
In an action for damages for personal
injuries or the death of a person, the plaintiff may, at any time
after the expiry of the
period for the delivery of the notice of
intention to defend, apply to the court for an order requiring the
defendant to make an
interim payment in respect of his claim for
medical costs and loss of income arising from his physical disability
or the death
of a person.
(2) Subject to the
provisions of rule 6 the affidavit in support of the application
shall contain the amount of damages claimed
and the grounds for the
application, and all documentary proof or certified copies thereof on
which the applicant relies shall
accompany the affidavit.
(3) Notwithstanding the
grant or refusal of an application for an interim payment, further
such applications may be brought on
good cause shown.
(4) If at the hearing of
such an application, the court is satisfied that— (a) the
defendant against whom the order is sought
has in writing admitted
liability for the plaintiff’s damages; or (b) the plaintiff has
obtained judgment against the respondent
for damages to be
determined, the court may, if it thinks fit but subject to the
provisions of subrule (5), order the respondent
to make an interim
payment of such amount as it thinks just, which amount shall not
exceed a reasonable proportion of the damages
which in the opinion of
the court are likely to be recovered by the plaintiff taking into
account any contributory negligence,
set off or counterclaim.
(5) No order shall be
made under subrule (4) unless it appears to the court that the
defendant is insured in respect of the plaintiff’s
claim or
that he has the means at his disposal to enable him to make such a
payment.
(6)
The
amount of an interim payment ordered shall be paid in full to the
plaintiff unless the Court otherwise orders.
(7)
Where an application has been made under subrule (1), the Court may
prescribe the procedure for the further conduct of the
action and in
particular may order the early trial thereof.
(8)
The fact that an order has been made under subrule (4) shall not be
pleaded and no disclosure of that fact shall be made to
the Court at
the trial or at the hearing of questions or issues as to
the
quantum
of damages until such questions or
issues have been determined.
(9)
In an action where an interim payment or an order for an interim
payment has been made, the action shall not be discontinued
or the
claim withdrawn without the consent of the Court.
(10)
If an order for an interim payment has been made or such
payment has been made, the Court may, in making a final order,
or
when granting the plaintiff leave to discontinue his action or
withdraw the claim under subrule (9) or at any stage of the
proceedings on the application of any party, make an order with
respect to the interim payment which the Court considers just and
the
Court may in particular order that:
(a)
the
plaintiff repay all or part of the interim payment;
(b)
the
payment be varied or discharged; or
(c)
a
payment be made by any other defendant in respect of any part of the
interim payment which the defendant, who made it, is entitled
to
recover by way of contribution or indemnity or in respect of any
remedy or relief relating to the plaintiff's claim.
(11)
The provisions of this Rule shall apply
mutatis
mutandis
to any claim in reconvention.”
[110]
An application for an interim payment can
only succeed when a court is satisfied that the defendant against
whom the order is sought
has in writing admitted liability for the
plaintiff’s damages or the plaintiff has obtained
judgment against the respondent
for damages to be determined. In this
matter, the latter position prevails.
[111]
The material facts giving rise to this
application, are largely common cause. Rule 34A allows for interim
payments in respect of
claims for medical costs and loss of income
arising from physical disability or the death of a person. This
application constitutes
a second request for an interim payment.
[112]
The enquiry that a court adopts in order to
determine whether an applicant has made out a proper case for seeking
an interim payment,
is varied and depends largely on the facts of
each case. An applicant approaching a court for an interim payment,
must as a bare
minimum set out the following:
112.1.
proper grounds on which the application is
premised, and do so with sufficient detail to enable the court to
ascertain with certainty
the basis for the relief sought;
112.2.
all documentary proof
or certified copies on which the applicant relies, for purposes of
quantification, must accompany the affidavit;
112.3.
where the interim payment is sought in
respect of medical costs, the applicant must disclose sufficient
detail or quantification
of the medical costs in the short term
(until the anticipated trial date) to warrant the interim payment;
112.4.
where the interim payment is sought in
respect of loss of earnings, the applicant must set out sufficient
detail or quantification
of the loss, and what he/she requires in the
short term (until the anticipated trial date) to warrant the interim
payment. Full
disclosure is preferred;
[113]
There
are, similarly, certain facts that ought to dissuade a court from
granting an interim payment such as
the
extent of facts in dispute as well as the nature of those facts
[63]
.
Where an applicant approaches a court for a further interim payment,
it can only augur well if the court is apprised of how the
previous
payment was used.
The applicant’s
reasons for seeking a further interim payment
:
Medical costs
[114]
In seeking a further interim payment in
respect of medical costs, the applicant stated that she filed
schedules and annexures under
cover of Rule 36 (9), which the
respondent responded to, by denying the amounts, and putting the
applicant to the proof thereof,
including those accounts which the
respondent himself rendered to the medical aid following his
treatment of the applicant in 2010.
[115]
The applicant stated that the amounts
claimed in this schedule, supported by vouchers, equals the sum of R
219 566,38. Further that,
of the aforesaid amount, the amount of R46
402,37 formed part of the employment of the first interim payment.
Thus, the applicant
would be entitled to rely on an amount of
R173 164.01 on the second interim payment. This does not mean
that the respondent
admits or has paid these amounts.
[116]
The applicant tabled a list of expenses
that she has to meet monthly, and forms the basis for a request for
an amount of R650 000.00
pending the finalisation of the matter.
Item 1
Rent
(including water & electricity):
R7
000.00
Item 2
Groceries
(for two people including applicant and her minor son).
R3
500.00
Item 3
Medical
aid:
R7
632.00
Item 4
Sundry
additional expenses including, over the counter medication, and
items not covered by the medical aid, cell phone data
and airtime,
transport, seasonal clothing, toiletries
R
2 500,00
TOTAL
R20
632,00
[117]
The applicant stated that excluding her
other expenses, her current estimated monthly expenditure is
approximately R20 632,00. Noting
that the cost of the medical aid is
based on what she was paying in 2021, before her medical aid
was suspended for non-payment
in May 2021. When multiplied by
twelve (12), her basic monthly expenses amount to R247 584,00 per
year, at a minimum.
[118]
The applicant stated further that she
requires ongoing therapies, most of which have now ceased completely
due to lack of funds
and no medical aid and that an amount of
R650 000.00 will enable her to pay her debts (for non-payment
of other liabilities),
and loans from friends and family. Further
that she has gouged out every resource she had, and is now in a
perilous financial situation.
[119]
The respondent took issue with the
applicant’s claim on various grounds, which I don’t
intend to repeat save to state
that in its contention the
past
medical expenses relied upon by the applicant for this interim
payment amounts to R46 402.37. However, these expenses
were
incurred at a time when the applicant was still on a medical scheme.
[120]
What was pointed out,
and I consider gravely important, is the fact that this court has, as
Mr. Patel correctly submitted, not
been made privy to what
expenses the medical scheme provided cover for, and what the
applicant had to bear herself. This brings
me back to what I said
earlier in this judgment, full disclosure is paramount.
[121]
The fact that the
applicant
asserts that she was covered by a medical scheme is
res
inter alios acta
.
This is indeed correct, in the main action, but it is clearly
relevant in an application for an interim payment where she is
required to establish a need.
[122]
The
respondent contends, contrary to what the applicant asserts, that
the crux of the matter is that at this stage neither
of the parties
can be certain as to what medical accounts relate to the Brown
Sequard Syndrome. And unfortunately, the applicant
has not
quantified, but for stating the amount of the medical cover, in
any significant detail, her immediate medical needs
[64]
.
For example, Dr. Osman, the neurosurgeon instructed by
respondent, seems to suggest that the symptoms now displayed by the
applicant are not in keeping with a Brown Sequard Syndrome
[65]
.
Legal
fees
[123]
I am in agreement
with the respondent that legal costs do not constitute a basis for an
interim payment. One need look no further
than subrule 1, which
provides in its relevant parts that an applicant can apply
to
the
court for an order requiring the
defendant to make an interim payment in respect of his
claim
for medical costs and loss of income
arising
from his physical disability or the death of a person
.
I am not persuaded, nor do I intend to follow
dicta
which I disagree with, and which in my mind at least, offends the
spirit of the subrule 2.
Household expenses
[124]
I agree with the
respondent that household expenses do not form a basis for an interim
payment under Rule 34A. It is disconcerting,
as Mr. Patel pointed
out, that the applicant failed to attach documentary proof to
support the alleged basic monthly expenses
incurred by her, contrary
to what subrule 2 contemplates.
# Loans
from family and Friends
Loans
from family and Friends
[125]
The
applicant stated that the interim payment will enable her to pay her
debts and loans from friends and family
[66]
.
The respondent correctly contended, that payments of loans to family
and friends, quite apart from the fact that the applicant
has
failed to furnish any details in this regard, finds no place in an
application for an interim payment.
[126]
To seek an interim
payment under the guise of medical costs and to then apply such for
settling loans from family and friends, undermines
the basis and
rationale behind the spirit of Rule 34A.
Good
cause
[127]
This application
constitutes
a second interim payment, which requires the applicant to show good
cause, more specifically how the first interim payment
was disposed
of.
[128]
Mr. Patel submitted,
correctly in my view, that an applicant who has already received an
interim payment and applies for a further
payment should set out what
she has done with the first payment. Further that, it is clear that
the reasons which would motivate
a court to refuse the second interim
payment would be dependent on whether the court considers the
applicant an irresponsible spendthrift
who squanders funds which were
meant, as it were, to ‘
tide
her over’
until her case can be tried.
[129]
I
have considered the manner in which the initial
interim
payment was utilised by the applicant. That payment (R350 000.00)
was made on 19 August 2019 at a time when the applicant
was still
employed by Khoza and whilst still belonging to a medical aid
scheme
[67]
. Of this amount the
applicant’s attorneys retained the sum of R87 500.00 and
the balance of R262 500.00 was paid
over to the applicant on 29
August 2019. It appears that an amount of R225 000.00 was
then transferred by the applicant
into an Allan Grey account on 11
September 2019.
[130]
What
is further evident is the fact that between October 2019 and January
2020, whilst still employed by Khoza and whilst still
on a medical
aid she transferred R156 537.46 from the Allan Grey Account into
her FNB account leaving a balance of R68 462.54
in the Allan
Grey Account
[68]
.
[131]
It is not an
implausible contention, having regard to the facts of this case, that
the transferred amounts were used by the applicant
to fund a
lifestyle rather than its intended purpose. The first interim payment
has not been fully utilised for medical expense
purposes.
[132]
I have also
considered what the respondent pointed out, namely that on 30
September 2020, the applicant received a significant amount
of
R840 731.25 into her FNB Cheque Account, which was, most
disappointingly, not disclosed to this court. This amount
was
disseminated as follows:
132.1.
R450 000.00 was
transferred to the applicant’s gold card;
132.2.
R300 000.00 was
transferred to another of the applicant’s FNB accounts
annotated as household upkeep; and
132.3.
R90 731.25
was retained
[69]
.
[133]
The respondent
pointed out that, from October 2020 to September 2021, at a time when
the applicant was unemployed, she spent R450 000.00
i.e. an
average of R37 500.00 per month on various items none of which
related to medical expenses. The respondent submits
that if, as the
applicant avers, she is without any funds having spent the entire
amount of R840 731.25 over such a short
time span, then the
applicant’s perilous financial situation is of her own doing. I
agree.
[134]
As previously stated,
the respondent contends that the applicant has failed to detail what
medical services are necessary in the
immediate future as well as the
costs thereof and that applications of this nature are not for the
mere asking and in respect of
which it is submitted. Further that the
respondent rightfully challenges the medical expenses incurred and to
be incurred as well
as the loss of employment and that in such
instance an interim payment cannot be ordered.
[135]
Further that the
applicant has failed to establish good cause and her founding
affidavit is devoid of proper documentary proof in
respect of medical
expenses (save for that covered by the medical aid scheme), household
expenses and loans from family members
and friends. It was submitted
by the respondent, if indeed, the applicant is under financial
constraints, such situation is self-inflicted
by both overspending
and inordinate delays in the prosecution of the action and that there
is clearly no safeguard for the respondent
in the event of an
overpayment.
[136]
I am not in a position to ascertain, on the
facts presented how the applicant arrives at an interim payment of
R650 000.00.
Discounting of course, the motivations that have
not made it out of the starting blocks of the Rule 34A application.
There is a
pervasive lack of documentary evidence which ought to have
been included in this application.
[137]
The only basis on which I can, to a limited
extent, grant an interim payment would be in respect of what is not
disputed, namely
that the applicant requires medical treatment, that
her medical aid has been suspended and my view that a restored
medical aid
fund would assist the applicant in meeting the associated
costs, pending the trial.
[138]
An order in the terms set out above, cannot
by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the applicant having
been successful
and therefore entitled to costs. Notwithstanding the
limited interim payment, I grant in the applicant’s favour,
I
emphasise that the application was, for all the reasons set out by
the respondent (which I agree with) woefully inadequate.
[139]
In the result, I make the following order:
ORDER
1. The respondent is
ordered, to effect a monthly payment, in the form of an instalment
commencing on 1 September 2023, and terminating
within 36 months or
the date of the trial, whichever occurs first, to the applicant’s
nominated medical aid, the amount of
R7 632.00 (seven thousand, six
hundred and thirty-two rand) as an interim payment in terms of Rule
34A(6) of the Uniform Rules
of Court.
2. Each party to pay its
own costs.
B. FORD
Acting Judge of the High
Court
Gauteng
Division of the High Court, Johannesburg
Delivered: This judgment
was prepared and authored by the Judge whose name is reflected on 24
August 2023 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 be 24 August 2023
Date of hearing: 26
April 2023
Date of judgment:
24 August 2023
Appearances:
For
the applicant:
Adv.
W. L. Munro
Instructed
by:
Nkosi
Nkosana Inc
For
the respondent:
Adv.
M. Patel
Instructed
by:
Clyde
& Co Inc
[1]
CaseLines:
0004-6, paragraphs 9 and 10 (Pleadings); CaseLines 0012-8 to 0012-15
(First Defendant’s clinical notes); 0012-123
to 0012-132
(Post-op nursing notes)
[2]
CaseLines:
0013-49 to 0013-104 (CCMA proceedings)
[3]
CaseLines:
0013-105 to 0013-106 (Letter from Adv Khoza SC confirming
appointment)
[4]
CaseLines:
0012- 109 to 0013- 110. (Letter from Adv Khoza SC retrenching the
plaintiff)
[5]
CaseLines:
0004-1 to 0004-4. (Combined summons)
[6]
CaseLines:
0020-1 to 0020-11 (Judgment of Wiener J, as she then was) and 0019-7
(Court Order of Weiner J, as she then was.)
[7]
CaseLines:
006-1 to 0006-27 (Second Defendant’s Third Party Notice to
First Defendant) and 0019-3 (Court Order of Modiba
J, joining the
first defendant as a third party)
[8]
CaseLines:
0017-1527 to 0017-1528 (item 95 under Notices)(Second Defendant’s
Offer of interim payment)
[9]
CaseLines:
0017-1529 to 0017-1530 (item 96 under Notices) (Plaintiff’s
acceptance of the offer.)
[10]
CaseLines:
0015-14 (Annexure “TT 52”: Letter from Discovery Medical
Aid terminating the applicant’s membership
with the scheme)
[11]
CaseLines:
Annexure “TT 53” to the founding affidavit 0015-142 to
0015-148, plus annexures 0015 – 0149 to 0015-185.
[12]
CaseLines:
Annexure “ TT 54” to the founding affidavit 0015-186 to
0015- 187.
[13]
CaseLines:
0015-1 to 0015-3 (Notice of Motion).
[14]
1995 (4) SA 1995
(4) SA 96 at page 99 D
[15]
1991 (3) SA 489
See also
Fair
v S A Eagle Insurance Co Ltd
1995 (4) SA 96
(E) at 100(D), and the unreported judgment of Gyanda
J, in
Harilall
and another v Ramdeo and another [case no 9224/99] KZN
at
page 12
[16]
Karparkis
v Mutual and Federal Insurance Co Ltd
1995 (4) SA 1995
(4) SA 96 at page 99 D see in particular page 499
E,
[17]
See in this regard the
Harillal
judgment
(
supra)
at
page 14 paragraph 12.
[18]
Page 496 E – F
[19]
Page 507 B,
[20]
CaseLines:
0015-17 to 0015-24
[21]
1997 (2) SA 544
, at page 547 B at 547 (B – D)
[22]
CaseLines:
0015-65 to 0015-82
[23]
A
law doctrine
which
holds that a contract cannot adversely affect the rights of one who
is not a party to the contract.
[24]
1997 (1) SA 33
(A) at 41 to 43
[25]
CaseLines
0011-7
[26]
CaseLines: 0015-189 to 0015-100
[27]
CaseLines: 0015-26
[28]
CaseLines: 0015-26
[29]
CaseLines: 0015-27
[30]
CaseLines: 0015-27
[31]
Caselines: 0015-27
[32]
CaseLines: 0015-28
[33]
Brown-Séquard
Syndrome is a neurologic syndrome resulting from hemisection of the
spinal cord. It manifests with weakness
or paralysis and
proprioceptive deficits on the side of the body ipsilateral to the
lesion and loss of pain and temperature sensation
on the
contralateral side.
# [34]Case
Lines – 0015 – 26 para 67 & 0010 –
1 (para 6)
[34]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 26 para 67 & 0010 –
1 (para 6)
# [35]Case
Lines – 0015 – 216 & 217 (para 13.3 and 13.6)
[35]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 216 & 217 (para 13.3 and 13.6)
#
# [36]Replying
Affidavit para 41, Case Lines – 0015 – 396 (para 41)
[36]
Replying
Affidavit para 41, Case Lines – 0015 – 396 (para 41)
# [37]Karpakis
v Mutual & Federal1991
(3) SA 489 (O) at 498G
[37]
Karpakis
v Mutual & Federal
1991
(3) SA 489 (O) at 498G
#
[38]
(634/2017)
[2021] ZAECBHC 10 (13 August 2021)
[39]
1997
(2) SA 544
(O) at 546G – 547E, (para 19)
# [40]Mohlala
& Swart v RAF Case No 208/32706 GD (para 21)
[40]
Mohlala
& Swart v RAF Case No 208/32706 GD (para 21)
#
# [41]Case
Lines – 0015 -206 (para 26)
[41]
Case
Lines – 0015 -206 (para 26)
#
# [42]Case
Lines – 0015-23 and 0015-28
[42]
Case
Lines – 0015-23 and 0015-28
# [43]Case
Lines – 0015 - 29
[43]
Case
Lines – 0015 - 29
#
# [44]Karpakis
v Mutual & Federalat
504
[44]
Karpakis
v Mutual & Federal
at
504
# [45]Case
Lines – 0015 - 210
[45]
Case
Lines – 0015 - 210
# [46]Case
Lines – 0015 – 226 to 227
[46]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 226 to 227
#
## [47]Case
Lines – 0015 - 228
[47]
Case
Lines – 0015 - 228
##
## [48]Case
Lines – 0015 – 212 & 213
[48]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 212 & 213
## [49]Case
Lines – 0015 - 401
[49]
Case
Lines – 0015 - 401
## [50]Case
Lines – 0015 – 214/215 paras 12.10 to 12.15
[50]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 214/215 paras 12.10 to 12.15
## [51]Case
Lines – 0015 - 387 para 7
[51]
Case
Lines – 0015 - 387 para 7
##
## [52]Case
Lines – 216 - para 12.23
[52]
Case
Lines – 216 - para 12.23
# [53]Case
Lines – 0015 – 221 para 16.4
[53]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 221 para 16.4
# [54]Case
Lines – 0015 – 222 (para 16.7)
[54]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 222 (para 16.7)
# [55]Case
Lines – 0015 – 222 (para 16.9)
[55]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 222 (para 16.9)
# [56]Case
Lines – 0015 – 14 para 28
[56]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 14 para 28
#
# [57]Case
Lines 0012-158
[57]
Case
Lines 0012-158
## [58]Case
Lines 0012 -216
[58]
Case
Lines 0012 -216
# [59]Case
Lines – 0015 – 14 – para 29
[59]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 14 – para 29
# [60]Case
Lines – 0015 – 15 – para 32
[60]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 15 – para 32
# [61]Case
Lines – 0015 – 29 (para 80)
[61]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 29 (para 80)
#
# [62]Case
Lines – 0015 – 203 (para 14)
[62]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 203 (para 14)
#
## [63]V.D
obo M.D v Member of Executive Council, Department of Health, Eastern
Cape(634/2017) [2021] ZAECBHC 10 (13 August 2021) para 20
[63]
V.D
obo M.D v Member of Executive Council, Department of Health, Eastern
Cape
(634/2017) [2021] ZAECBHC 10 (13 August 2021) para 20
##
# [64]Mohlala
& Swart v RAF Case No 208/32706 GD (para 21)
[64]
Mohlala
& Swart v RAF Case No 208/32706 GD (para 21)
# [65]Case
Lines – 0015 – 216 & 217 (para 13.3 and 13.6)
[65]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 216 & 217 (para 13.3 and 13.6)
#
# [66]Case
Lines – 0015 - 29
[66]
Case
Lines – 0015 - 29
#
# [67]Case
Lines – 0015 - 210
[67]
Case
Lines – 0015 - 210
# [68]Case
Lines – 0015 – 226 to 227
[68]
Case
Lines – 0015 – 226 to 227
## [69]Case
Lines – 0015 - 228
[69]
Case
Lines – 0015 - 228
##
sino noindex
make_database footer start
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