A last-minute scramble by the Eastern Cape Health Department to settle a medical negligence lawsuit worth R23m has saved 20 of their vehicles meant to be auctioned next week, says a Daily Dispatch report. A provincial health spokesperson confirmed they had last week paid R23m to Johannesburg-based lawyer Zuko Nonxuba after he successfully sued them for medical negligence.

The payment comes just days before 20 departmental vehicles – attached last week – were to go under the hammer. According to a court order issued by the Eastern Cape High Court (Mthatha) last Thursday, the vehicles were to be sold during an auction scheduled for King William’s Town on 25 August. This after personal injury lawyer Nonxuba successfully sued the department for R23m for a negligence case instituted on behalf of a Cacadu parent.

He represented Mongi Tshetshani who claimed on behalf of son Axolile who was left disabled as a result of cerebral damage at birth. The department was proved to have been negligent in that ‘it failed to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence’ when Axolile suffered injuries.

Full Daily Dispatch report (subscription needed)