Deniro Pillay (ZA)

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Unfair delays lead to doctor’s permanent stay of disciplinary proceedings

In the judgment of Aslam v President: Health Professions Council and Others (3 April 2023), the court decided to permanently set aside disciplinary proceedings and to prevent The Medical and Dental Professions Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) from taking any further disciplinary measures relating to a complaint of unprofessional conduct … Continue reading

Prescription does not run against a mentally incapacitated claimant despite having a curator

The Supreme Court of Appeal confirmed that in circumstances where a claimant is mentally incapacitated, the completion of the period of the prescription of a claim would not occur for as long as the mental health impediment exists. Placing a claimant under curatorship is in itself an impediment. It does not bring about a cessation … Continue reading

A reminder to employers; failure to guard against foreseeable harm at the workplace may attract liability

In circumstances where an employer fails to take reasonable steps to guard against the inherent dangers to employees in operating machinery on its premises, such entity may find itself liable for the damages sustained by the operator of the machinery. Operators of machinery must be reasonably trained by employers to ensure that they have the … Continue reading

The occupier of a property has a legal duty to prevent foreseeable harm to persons visiting the property

In a November judgment in Lakay v Minister of Justice & Another 2022 ZAWCHC 221, the court confirmed that the occupier of a property has a legal duty to prevent foreseeable harm to persons visiting the property. In determining liability, a factor which the court would take into account is whether the steps taken by … Continue reading

The meaning of “to pay” orders and the public health defence

In April 2021, the Constitutional Court handed down a seminal judgment relating to the public health defence which will influence medical malpractice claims against the state across the country. In Member of the Executive Council for Health, Gauteng Provincial Government v PN [2021] ZACC 6, the court considered whether an order finding the MEC liable … Continue reading

When does a healthcare practitioner’s claim for damages for malicious HPCSA proceedings prescribe?

A healthcare practitioner, who is the subject of malicious HPCSA proceedings, may institute a damages claim for malicious prosecution against the complainant who initiated the proceedings within three years from the date the HPCSA informs the practitioner of its decision to dismiss the complaint. The claim only arises, and prescription starts to run, from the … Continue reading
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