Alfred Moselakgomo
Alfred Moselakgomo
A paralysed Mpumalanga man involved in a near-fatal motorcar accident two years ago is accusing the Road Accident Fund of refusing to compensate him for the accident.
Charles Masombuka, 32, of Driefontein near Marapyane in the KwaMhlanga area, sustained injuries to his neck and his spinal cord was damaged.
Masombuka said the accident occurred when the car in which he was a passenger hit a pothole on the freeway.
He ended up in the intensive care unit at Kalofong Hospital in Atteridgeville, where he stayed for several months while undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the accident.
"I spent most of the time in intensive care on a mechanical ventilator that helped me breathe," he said.
"I still have painful swelling around the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the spinal cord."
Masombuka said doctors told him that once his swelling subsides, he might regain movement in his limbs.
"But I don't go to the doctor regularly because I cannot afford it," he said.
Masombuka continues his rehabilitation at home surrounded by his family. His recuperation is expected to take many more months.
Busi Mahlangu of the Road Accident Fund said that to receive help, Masombuka should submit a letter from the hospital.
"We also need to get all the information from him about the accident," she said.
Mahlangu said in terms of the Road Accident Fund Amendment Act, passengers making use of public transport were inequitably entitled to a maximum of R25000 if the driver caused the accident.
'Accident fund ignores me'
Alfred Moselakgomo
Alfred Moselakgomo
A paralysed Mpumalanga man involved in a near-fatal motorcar accident two years ago is accusing the Road Accident Fund of refusing to compensate him for the accident.
Charles Masombuka, 32, of Driefontein near Marapyane in the KwaMhlanga area, sustained injuries to his neck and his spinal cord was damaged.
Masombuka said the accident occurred when the car in which he was a passenger hit a pothole on the freeway.
He ended up in the intensive care unit at Kalofong Hospital in Atteridgeville, where he stayed for several months while undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the accident.
"I spent most of the time in intensive care on a mechanical ventilator that helped me breathe," he said.
"I still have painful swelling around the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the spinal cord."
Masombuka said doctors told him that once his swelling subsides, he might regain movement in his limbs.
"But I don't go to the doctor regularly because I cannot afford it," he said.
Masombuka continues his rehabilitation at home surrounded by his family. His recuperation is expected to take many more months.
Busi Mahlangu of the Road Accident Fund said that to receive help, Masombuka should submit a letter from the hospital.
"We also need to get all the information from him about the accident," she said.
Mahlangu said in terms of the Road Accident Fund Amendment Act, passengers making use of public transport were inequitably entitled to a maximum of R25000 if the driver caused the accident.