RAF v Sweatman (162/2014) [2015] ZASCA 22 (20 March 2015): A Simple Illustration of the SCA's Statutory Misinterpretation of Section 17(4)(C) of the Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1998

Authors

  • Sarah Fick Lecturer in Private Law, University of Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8789-7807
  • Paul Van der Merwe Actuarial Science (University of Stellenbosch). Actuarial Consultant, Munro Forensic Actuaries, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/pelj.v18i7.12

Keywords:

Road Accident Fund, interpretation of statutes, quantification of damages, expert witnesses.

Abstract

In Road Accident Fund v Sweatman (162/2014) [2015] ZASCA 22 (20 March 2015) (hereafter Sweatman) the Supreme Court of Appeal was faced with the interpretation of section 17(4)(c) of the Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1998 (the "cap provision"). The purpose of this note is to assess the court's interpretation of the "cap provision" to determine whether this interpretation is sound. This is achieved by explaining the purpose of the Road Accident Fund and the Amendment Act. Thereafter the general method of calculating loss of income is explored, together with the different interpretations of the "cap provision" and the application thereof. The abovementioned decision of the SCA on the most appropriate interpretation is then critically analysed. It is argued that the court, in Sweatman, misunderstood the implication of its decision and was therefore incapable of interpreting the provision correctly. The effect is that one of the primary purposes of the Amendment Act is circumvented. 

 

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Published

27-12-2015

How to Cite

Fick, S., & Van der Merwe, P. (2015). RAF v Sweatman (162/2014) [2015] ZASCA 22 (20 March 2015): A Simple Illustration of the SCA’s Statutory Misinterpretation of Section 17(4)(C) of the Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1998. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 18(7), 2803–2828. https://doi.org/10.4314/pelj.v18i7.12

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Notes