Metro FM presenter Lerato Kganyago’s husband is being sued for R10-million by a Pretoria woman who was left disabled after being bludgeoned with a wooden object by a caretaker or watchman at a residential complex owned by the businessman.
In court papers filed by Lutendo Siphuma of SL Attorneys in the Pretoria High Court, Gift Kamogelo Modisha, 20, is demanding the amount in damages from Kganyango’s husband Thami Ndlala and his company Ndlalayesizwe Real Estate, which owns the complex.
Ndlala is cited as the second respondent while his entity is cited as first respondent in the lawsuit.
In her founding affidavit, Modisha said that she was swimming in the residence’s pool with friends in Hatfield, Pretoria, on December 4 last year when she was accosted by the complex’s caretaker or security guard known only as Dlomo.
As they swam, an altercation ensued between Modisha and Dlomo.
“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, 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,” she stated in the papers.
Modisha said she was rushed to hospital, where she was admitted for five days.
She sustained a deep wound to her head, which had to be stitched, leaving a big scar and a broken left hand.
“[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 papers.
Modisha now wants Ndlala and his entity to take full responsibility for the attack. She is suing for pain and suffering, medical costs and loss of income.
The woman alleges that Ndlala and Ndlalayesizwe failed in their duty to protect residents and therefore, are vicariously liable for the actions of their employee.
She wants them to pay her R10-million. The aggregate amount, which includes R100 000 estimated past hospital, medical and related expenses, R1-million for estimated future hospital, medical and related expenses and R6-million for estimated loss of past and future earnings, alternatively, earning capacity. This also includes R5-million for loss of earnings and R3-million for general damages.
The Ndlala and Ndlalayesizwe have 30 days to register.