The mother of a little boy, who was electrocuted after being exposed to live wires, will be back in the Port Elizabeth High court on Wednesday.
In February 2011, six-year-old Liyema Mcwetyana was killed in the presence of his mother Priscilla, when he came into contact with a wire fence which had become electrified by exposed live wiring.
According to court documents, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality was responsible for the installation and maintenance of all electrical cables in the Uitenhage area.
Court documents indicated that before the child’s death, community members had informed the municipality of live wires when a cow was electrocuted by the fence.
The mother, who is represented by attorney Wilma Van der Bank, subsequently sued the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for damages amounting to over R3 million.
Damages included funeral expenses, past and future medical expenses, phychiatric consultations, counselling and hospitalisation amongst other expenses.
Last year the two parties settled out of court and Priscilla was awarded around R700,000 in damages. However earlier this month, in a consequential plea, the municipality denied the claim relating to costs of a carer for Priscilla, which amounts to over R2 million.
In the plea it states that a carer would not be advantageous for Priscilla and would detract from her potential recovery. It further recommends the services of a full-time domestic worker for a period no longer than 2 to 3 years at a rate of R120 per day.
The matter will be back in the Port Elizabeth high court on Wednesday for the court to decide whether a full-time carer is necessary.
Several psychologists, including Ian Meyer and Professor Tuvia Zabow, are expected to testify as to the reasons why they believe Priscilla needs a carer.
– African News Agency (ANA)
