MUKASHEFU NA BAGENZI BE v SANLAM AG Plc

MUKASHEFU NA BAGENZI BE v SANLAM AG Plc

Applicants failed to provide conclusive evidence that the deceased was a professional motorcycle taxi driver; therefore, damages must be calculated based on the statutory minimum wage as per the law. The High Court erred in not applying the statutory formula for future lost earnings, so the Court of Appeal...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RS/INJUST/RC 00038/2022/CA
Parties
Applicant: Mukashefu Jacqueline na bagenzi be; Respondent: SANLAM AG Plc
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
16 February 2024
Case Number
RS/INJUST/RC 00038/2022/CA
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (retrial on Grounds of Injustice) / Court of Appeal Final Judgment
Outcome
Partially allowed (partial retrial granted, damages recalculated)
Legal Topics
Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation, Damages Calculation, Burden of Proof, Evidence Law, Wrongful Death, Insurance Liability
Civil Law Insurance Law Tort Law Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Damages Calculation Burden of Proof Evidence Law Wrongful Death +1 more

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Parties

Mukashefu Jacqueline na bagenzi be

Applicant

SANLAM AG Plc

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (retrial on Grounds of Injustice) / Court of Appeal Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether there was sufficient evidence that the deceased was a professional motorcycle taxi driver (motari)
  2. 2 Whether damages in the prior High Court judgment were calculated according to law
  3. 3 Whether parties are entitled to legal costs and attorney fees

Ratio Decidendi

Applicants failed to provide conclusive evidence that the deceased was a professional motorcycle taxi driver; therefore, damages must be calculated based on the statutory minimum wage as per the law. The High Court erred in not applying the statutory formula for future lost earnings, so the Court of Appeal recalculated economic damages accordingly. Moral damages were correctly calculated. No party is entitled to legal costs or attorney fees as both sides had partial success and failure.

Court Disposition

Partially allowed (partial retrial granted, damages recalculated)

Orders

  • SANLAM AG Plc to pay Mukashefu Jacqueline economic damages of 4,790,594 Frw as recalculated.
  • No party awarded legal costs or attorney fees.