Thami Ndlala sued for R10m
Metro FM presenter Lerato Kganyago’s husband, Thami Ndlala, is facing a R10-million lawsuit after a Pretoria woman was left disabled following a violent assault allegedly carried out by a caretaker at one of his residential complexes.
Court documents filed in the Pretoria High Court by Lutendo Siphuma of SL Attorneys reveal that 20-year-old Gift Kamogelo Modisha is suing both Ndlala and his company, Ndlalayesizwe Real Estate, which owns the Hatfield-based complex where the incident occurred.
The businessman is named as the second respondent, while his company is the first.
According to Modisha’s founding affidavit, she and her friends were swimming in the complex’s pool on December 4 last year when they were approached by the caretaker or security guard, identified only as Dlomo.
Modisha alleges that what began as an encounter quickly turned violent.
“The caretaker became very rude, violent, and started swearing at the plaintiff and her friends. An altercation ensued whilst the plaintiff and her friends were swimming and immediately when the plaintiff was done swimming, the caretaker and/or security personnel used a wooden stick weapon to beat the plaintiff all over her body,” she stated in the papers.
“The plaintiff fell and her left hand was broken, the caretaker and/or security personnel continued seriously assaulting the plaintiff, kicking the plaintiff whilst on the floor, beating up the plaintiff on her hand and head, resulting in excessive bleeding from the … head.”
The young woman said she was rushed to hospital, where she remained for five days.
She sustained a deep head wound that required stitches, leaving her with a large scar and a broken left hand. She also suffered significant neurological damage.
“[There was also] excessive head bleeding, which caused neurological deficits. [She] has been permanently disfigured and disabled, has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety and shall continue to suffer from such for her entire life,” read the affidavit.
Modisha is holding Ndlala and his company accountable, arguing they failed in their duty to protect tenants and residents and are vicariously liable for the actions of their employee.
She is demanding R10-million in damages, which includes R100,000 for past medical expenses, R1-million for future medical costs, R6-million for loss of earnings or earning capacity, and R3-million for general damages.
Ndlala and Ndlalayesizwe have been given 30 days to respond to the lawsuit.