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The SA National Defence Force has been ordered to make an interim payment of R1.89million to a Bronkhorstspruit businessman who survived an armed robbery shooting, but whose partner was killed in 2003.
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ordered Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to pay the amount to businessman and former SANDF Colonel, Leon von Benecke, pending the determination of the full amount to be paid.
A part of the R4 assault rifle used to shoot Von Benecke during the robbery was stolen from the SANDF's technical base in Pretoria.
Von Benecke was shot nine times, while his partner, 56-year old Rudi Lanner died from eleven gunshot wounds.
Von Benecke said he had applied for at least 200 vacancies but his age, gender, race and physical condition disqualified him outright.
In 2012, the North Gauteng High Court ruled that the defence minister was liable for the injuries Von Benecke sustained. Mapisa-Nqakula appealed the decision but it was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Appeal in November last year.
