Premier urged to pay brain-damaged matric's bills

2011-12-19 13:05

Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane must keep her promise to pay the medical bills of accident victim Thomas Ferreira, the Democratic Alliance said on Monday.

"The Ferreiras have borne the trauma of seeing their loved one in a coma and suffering from brain damage. They now live with the secondary trauma caused by Mokonyane's insensitivity and a lack of results from the accident investigation," said spokesperson Kate Lorimer.

Ferreira, 18, was injured when the official vehicle of Gauteng Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi crashed into him while he was riding on a motorcycle six weeks ago.

The driver of the vehicle, Semitsi Modomai, was transporting Mmemezi and had turned on blue lights to cross through a red traffic light when he collided with Thomas.

At that time Mokonyane publicly promised to cover the costs of the teenager's medical bills.

Rehabilitation

Lorimer said the costs of the rehabilitation centre to which Ferreira was moved last Monday were about R120 000 per month.

"Although some of his medical costs have thus far been covered by his medical aid, there are many costs involved and there will still be some in the future," said Lorimer.

"It is unacceptable that such a tragic incident caused by Modomai's negligence should take so long to be investigated."

Lorimer said the Ferreiras deserved empathy and respect from Mokonyane.

Mokonyane's spokesperson Xoli Mngambi referred all queries to Mongezi Monyane of the housing department.

Monyane said the housing department would meet with the Ferreiras in January next year to discuss the matter.

"We don't know the total costs of the bills. We just heard about them from the media and there is nothing we can do now as it is the festive holiday period."

- SAPA