With the alleged drag racing incident involving hip-hop star Jub Jub still in the news, another apparent drag racing case – this time a civil claim, not a criminal one – has been settled in the South Gauteng High Court for over R2-million.
Represented in his claim by de Broglio Inc, 43-year-old Denzel Govender* is to be paid R2.085-million by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) after being severely injured in a horrific accident on Golf Club Terrace in Constantia, Roodepoort, in January 2008.
On the day in question, Denzel was pulling off from a stop street when another vehicle came up a blind rise at extremely high speed. The car collided with Denzel’s vehicle with such force that he was ripped right out of his seatbelt and ejected from his car.
He fractured his pelvis, his right leg and his shoulder, and sustained a severe head injury that has left him suffering from recurring headaches.
An insurance broker by profession, Denzel will be forced to retire at least three years early due to his injuries. The accident has also had a devastating effect on his earnings and productivity.
“Unlike the Jub Jub matter, in which four Soweto schoolchildren were killed, fortunately in Denzel’s case this incident of apparent drag racing in suburban Roodepoort was not fatal,” says Michael de Broglio.
“But even though he received a good RAF settlement of R2-million as compensation, he will still have to endure the consequences of someone else’s irresponsible behaviour for the rest of his life. Cases such as these show there is a serious and urgent need for the authorities to clamp down on illegal street racing.”
*Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality
